Among the wealth of birds in the Laredo area, Green Jays are a favorite species found along the Rio Grande borderlands (photo by Paul Konrad).

Among the positive adjustments people have made during the pandemic period is that birding festival organizers have reacted by providing online opportunities for birders to participate from across the country – and around the world. This provides the chance for festival organizers and community tourism promoters to reach a far larger audience of birders, although it may not help to fill hotel rooms and restaurants. We are all looking for new ways to enjoy birding activities, and virtual online events are attractive and fulfilling, including Birding Festival options.

Four upcoming birding festivals in February and March provide a variety of online activities and programs – many that can be enjoyed as a family – ranging from virtual birding tours that include birds found at festival field trip locations, featured speakers and Q&A sessions, youth and kids’ activities, virtual bird walks, and on-demand internet resources.

Upcoming virtual birding festival activities span the United States, from New York to Washington state, to the Texas borderlands, and into the center of the nation – Kansas! What a great cross-section of birding locations for birders to investigate and participate in virtually. Certainly, post-pandemic, online activities will remain a part of birding festivals and other events, making the most of the expanded outreach options.

Two of the 4 virtual festival opportunities will take place this weekend, so enjoy the opportunities that they offer – and don’t hesitate to thank the event organizers for their considerable outreach and resources on behalf of birds and birders. You can visit the festival websites listed below anytime and as often as you wish. Set your calendar alarms for live programs you don’t want to miss, and enjoy these virtual birding opportunities.

Birds on the Niagara International Bird Festival, this weekend, February 12 to 14 with some online opportunities already available. Centered at Niagara Falls in western New York and southeast Ontario, where 18 species of gulls have been sighted, along with a variety of waterfowl, waterbirds, and wintering birds in the area. Check out the Birds on the Niagara bird checklist and the Agents of Discovery adventure and educational game too. No registration is required and all programs are free and open to the public – and you can participate in an on-going silent auction now at http://www.birdsontheniagara.org/

Laredo Birding Festival, Saturday morning February 13th, centered in Laredo, Texas. Who can deny the excitement provided during borderland birding opportunities and, located in the center of the Texas Rio Grande border area, Laredo offers a variety of exciting birds. You can enjoy birding the border virtually by viewing high-quality birding videos, interactive workshops, featured speakers, an on-line art show, and more at https://laredobirdingfestival.org/ and https://laredobirdingfestival.org/about/

Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival, March 19 to 21 is centered in Blaine, Washington. Look forward to live virtual webinars, video birding walks, kids’ activities, and more by checking in to see the soon to be updated website with the full schedule closer to the festival dates at https://www.wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com/about-festival/

Wings and Wetlands Festival, March 24 to 26 at Great Bend, Kansas. Smack in the center of Kansas, with an emphasis on nearby Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, and local Kansas wetlands, this exciting virtual birding festival features several speaker conferences, live Q&As, interactive socials, birds and beverages breakout sessions, and on-demand internet resources at https://www.wingsandwetlands.com/schedule

Share your birding festival experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com