Hummingbirds are central figures among most of the birding festivals being held this summer (Broad-billed Hummingbird).

As more people activate during post-vaccination, birders are excited to see some of their favorite summertime birding festivals add excitement to the birding community again, as organizers emphasize covid-safe and online virtual events. Hummingbirds dominate the themes of many upcoming birding festival activities. Surprising to some, Arizona provides some of the biggest events of the summer – from the high mountains to low desert environs, but upcoming birding festivals are also scheduled for Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas.

July 31 – The Hummingbird Migration Celebration, organized by Indiana Audubon, will be held at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, located near Indianapolis, Indiana; see https://indianaaudubon.org/event/indiana-audubon-hummingbird-migration-celebration/

August 4 to 7 – Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival will be held in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and include hybrid events and online speakers that feature the birds of the “sky islands” of southeast Arizona. See https://www.swwings.org/

August 11 to 15 – Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, will center in Tucson, Arizona, and will include Virtual Festival Events online; see https://tucsonaudubon.org/news-events/southeast-arizona-birding-festival/

August 19 to 22 – Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration will center at West Texas birding hotspots with no social events, but will feature a number of virtual presentations; see https://davismountainshummingbirdcelebration.com/

August 21 – Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah takes place in Henderson, Minnesota, where Ruby-throated Hummingbirds congregate south of the Twin Cities; see https://www.hendersonhummingbirdhurrah.com/

And if you are waiting for the humdinger of September birding festivals, keep September 16 to 19 open for the 33rd HummerBird Festival in the Texas coastal cities of Rockport and Fulton; see https://www.rockport-fulton.org/HB