Bellingham Bird Week is being hosted by North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington and is a celebration of the important role Bellingham and Whatcom County play in the journey of millions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of our resident birds. Whatcom County currently boasts 355 species recorded (and counting) according to eBird! In addition to Bellingham’s vital location nestled among the Salish Sea, the growing popularity of planting native plants, restoring riparian habitat, bird-friendly education programs, and the upcoming Audubon Washington sponsored Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) annual conference of Washington Audubon chapters have led to the creation of Bellingham Bird Week, October 5-11, 2026!
North Cascades Audubon and local community partners are creating a week of in-person events centered on celebrating our region’s birds – from birding field trips to bird trivia, documentary films to author talks, Edson Hall of Birds drawing sessions to Bellingham Public Library children’s story time, there's something for all Whatcomtonians to enjoy. Your participation and excitement will help our city continue to be a welcoming home for birds!
All events are free! Please note that some events require registration to attend.
Monday, October 5th, 8:00AM - 9:30AM
Birding by Ear @ Samish Crest Trail with North Cascades Audubon Society
751 San Juan Boulevard, Bellingham, WA 98225
Listen for birds on the lower Samish Crest trails of the Samish Hill Open Space.
Birding by Ear at Samish Crest Trail
Trip Leader: Carrie Frederick Frost
Trip Limit: 12
Parking: Meet at the Samish Crest trailhead at the dead end of San Juan Boulevard, by Congregation Beth Israel. (Note this is a different trailhead than the one on Racine St visible on Google Maps.) Street parking is available along San Juan Blvd.
We will walk the lower trails of the Samish Hill Open Space adjacent to the Puget neighborhood, using side trails (smaller, uneven, full of roots and rocks, and potentially muddy) as well as the main trail (wide with crushed gravel).
Fall is a good season to work on birding by ear because birds are quieter but still calling. We will listen (and look) for such fall favorites as Spotted Towhee, Bewick’s and Pacific Wrens, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and we will also discuss the pros and cons of using Merlin Sound ID when learning bird calls.
Bird-Themed Story Times at Children’s Library, Bellingham Public Library
210 Central Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Little Storytime
Monday, October 5
Tuesday, October 6
10:05 – 10:35, 10:35 – 11:05, and 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun!
Library Explorers
Monday, October 5
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 6 – 10 with families welcome. Explore the world and wonders of the library through fun stories, experiments, crafts and more.
Preschool Storytime
Thursday, October 8
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Join us for fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and a simple craft.
Stories and Play
Friday, October 9
10:05 – 11:05 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 5. This is a storytime and facilitated play experience for young children and the adults who take care of them. Come enjoy stories, songs, play and activities!
Monday, October 5th, 3PM
Friday, October 16th, 3PM
Amongst The Birds Film Screening
(part of Pickford Film Center’s Doctober)
1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Amongst The Birds
(Mika Kaurismäki, Ragnar Axelsson & Ingvar Þórðarson, Iceland, 2026, 83 min)
Presented by North Cascades Audubon Society (NCAS), Northwest Yarns & Mercantile
On a remote Icelandic fjord an irresistible elderly couple welcomes thousands of returning eider ducks each spring protecting their nests with handmade shelters, endless patience, and plenty of humor. Co-directed by Mika Kaurismäki, this breathtaking documentary is a heartwarming celebration of community stewardship and the quiet wonders of the natural world.
US Premiere!
Details and tickets available online here. SOLD OUT!
Pickford Film Center
Each October the Pickford showcases Doctober—a month-long documentary film festival dedicated to one of Bellingham’s proven favorite genres. Doctober is the largest documentary festival in the Northwest, screening approximately 35 films in one month. For this festival the Pickford partners with local organizations to bring important issues to the screen; many presentations feature special guests, filmmakers, pre-screening receptions, and guided group discussions. Pickford Film Center is excited for Doctober to continue with smashing success and enrich our community for another year.
Monday, October 5th, 7PM
Lyanda Lynn Haupt Author Talk @ Backcountry Essentials
1417 N. State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Among the Birds is an enchanting celebration of the Pacific Northwest's birds, brought to life by New York Times-bestselling author and naturalist Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Readers join Haupt on a wandering journey through the region's avian world, drifting intuitively among species, much like you encounter birds on a neighborhood amble, forest trail, or windy shoreline. More than 70 feathered residents and seasonal visitors make an appearance, connected through experience, memory, and the serendipity of dailylife outdoors.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an award-winning author, naturalist, ecophilosopher, and speaker whose work explores the beautiful, complicated connections between humans and the wild, natural world.
Tuesday, October 6th, 5PM - 6PM
Family Birding on the Beach Cat Brewing South Paw Deck
1010 C Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Come out with the family and look at birds on the water while enjoying a refreshing brew! North Cascades Audubon Society will set up scopes on the deck and have binoculars available for folks to get a closer look at the avian world and learn what kinds of birds use habitat along Bellingham’s waterfront.
Tuesday, October 6th, 6PM - 8PM
Bird Drawing Session @ John M. Edson Hall of Birds, Whatcom Museum, Old City Hall
121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Did you know that Bellingham has an incredible public collection of hundreds of bird specimens? Come get up close and personal with the John M. Edson Hall of Birds collection and explore it through a drawing workshop with acclaimed artist Vesper Rothberg and North Cascades Audubon Society (NCAS) board member Kirsten Anderson!
The workshop will include drawing exercises to help you build your observational skills and learn about bird anatomy using taxidermy references. We aim to create a comfortable and educational environment open to all ages and all levels of experience!
Free workshop with materials provided.
Event capacity: 40
Register online here - SOLD OUT! We will accept walk-ins as space allows!
Wednesday, October 7th, 8:30AM
Whatcom Land Trust Guided Bird Walk @ Governors Point
Meet at Whatcom Land Trust
412 N. Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Join a guided bird walk through Governors Point, a 98-acre future nature reserve just south of Bellingham, led by Whatcom Land Trust Board Member and local North Cascades Audubon birder Lynne Givler. It’s a unique opportunity to explore this wooded peninsula, with nearly 9,500 feet of shoreline along Chuckanut and Samish Bays and stunning viewpoints that are not yet open to the public.
Event Details:
Registration is REQUIRED for this event: SOLD OUT! But you can join a waitlist here!
What to expect: Expect a slower pace, narrow trails, a section of 100+ stairs leading up the bluff, and some steep areas.
What to bring: A water bottle, binoculars, comfortable shoes, and a backpack. Please note there are no bathroom facilities at Governors Point.
How to get there: You can carpool or meet us at Governors Point. Carpoolers should arrive at the Whatcom Land Trust office (412 N. Commercial St., Bellingham) by 8:30 a.m. sharp for a prompt departure. If you’d rather meet us directly at Governors Point, plan to arrive by 9 a.m. Directions to the meeting point will be emailed to you after you register.
Wednesday, October 7th, 11AM - 12PM
OR
Friday, October 9th, 12PM - 1PM
Native Plants and Birds Class @ Ferny’s Nursery and Garden
1012 Holly Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Your backyard is your outdoor sanctuary. With some careful plant choices, it can be a sanctuary for nesting and overwintering birds, as well as a recharge station for migrating birds. Join us as Pam Borso from North Cascades Audubon Society provides us with the information we need to create our own backyard bird haven. Ferny’s will be giving a 10% discount on plants to attendees!
Pam has been a birder and plant enthusiast for about 15 years incorporating the knowledge from both of these areas into the Native Plants for Birds programs. She is a past president of North Cascades Audubon Society and completed and attained certification as a Washington Native Plant Society Plant Steward.
Ferny’s Nursery and Garden is a new, family-owned nursery focused on providing native + edible plants, organic gardening supplies and resilient landscape education. Our nursery serves homeowners, landscape professionals and community organizations committed to environmental stewardship. We look forward to partnering with local growers, schools, artists and non-profits to help build a strong a planting community!
Our mission is to help inspire and create resilient landscapes through the use of native and edible plants in the urban environment.
Register for either event online here
Wednesday, October 7th, 5PM - 7PM
BIKE Bellingham x Shifting Gears
Biking & Birding Field Trip
Join Shifting Gears for a group bike ride for women (queer, cis, trans) to check out BIKE Bellingham’s new Bird Bike Route, For the Birds! Shifting Gears will lead the ride and North Cascades Audubon Society board members will be cruising right alongside you to help with bird ID and expand your connection to the avian world.
This field trip will follow the For the Birds Lite route, which is about 11 miles long and will visit a plethora of bird-themed places in town, including spots to birdwatch, murals, sculptures, and a number of bird-themed businesses. Let’s get on our bikes and ride!
Register online here - SOLD OUT! Join a waitlist here
Thursday, October 8th, 8AM - 10AM
Owling @ Cornwall Park with North Cascades Audubon Society
3424 Meridian Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Join us for a walk at Cornwall Park to look for Great Horned Owls.
Trip Leader: Joey Skaran
Registration opens October 1st online here
Trip Limit: 20
Meet at the Cornwall Park Meridian Street entrance (the first parking lot on the left side when you enter).
All birding skill levels are welcome. We will plan to walk around the park, about a 1 mile loop. The main trails are wide and mostly flat with gravel, and the side trails near the owl nests are narrower dirt paths, which are steeper and can potentially be muddy depending on the weather. We will also keep our eyes out for the local Barred Owls and the four species of woodpecker that reside in the park.
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Thursday, October 8th, 6PM - 7PM
Coast Salish Art and Birds Tide Talk @ Community Boating Center, Wheelhouse Building
555 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Coast Salish Art Tide Talk with Jason LaClair, a local Coast Salish art instructor, muralist and lifelong resident of Whatcom County. Jason draws from his Lummi and Nooksack heritage to create art that resonates deeply with Indigenous traditions and modern aesthetics. Initiated into the art world by family members who were master carvers and working artists, Jason has journeyed from creating small prints sold door-to-door to designing impactful public murals in Bellingham (including the murals at the Community Boating Center!), Ferndale and San Juan Island. Committed to community engagement, he aspires to pave the way for future Indigenous artists, emphasizing the transformative power of art to connect communities and preserve cultural heritage.
In his presentation, Jason will discuss the importance and sacredness of birds and other wildlife to his Lummi and Nooksack Tribal communities. He will share stories about their significance, present examples of his art, and highlight the unique features of Coast Salish art.
Register online here
Thursday, October 8th, 7PM - 8:30PM
Lights Out Texas Documentary with panel discussion @ Whatcom Museum, Old City Hall Rotunda Room
121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Join North Cascades Audubon and Audubon Washington for a special screening of the Lights Out Texas documentary. Each spring and fall, billions of birds migrate across the skyways of the United States, many of them navigating at night using stars, Earth’s magnetic field, and other natural cues. Artificial light at night can disorient them, drawing birds into a danger zone near buildings where they’re at risk of deadly collisions with glass. This documentary explores how researchers, conservation organizations, government agencies, and private-sector partners are working to reduce the effects of light pollution on migratory birds.
Audubon Washington’s Trina Bayard, Director of Bird Conservation, will lead a panel discussion following the film focusing on how all of us can help protect the millions of birds migrating through Washington at night. Panelists will include Chris Templeton, WWU Biologist and Ornithologist whose research includes the effects of light pollution on birds. Discussion will focus on how we can reduce or control light emissions and other measures that result in building collisions during migration season. What can be done in Bellingham? In Whatcom County? At your own home?
Register online here
Friday, October 9th, 5:30PM
City of Bellingham and North Cascades Audubon Society Welcome
Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room
355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
City of Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and North Cascades Audubon Society Vice President Pam Borso will welcome Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) attendees and share an official announcement regarding Bellingham Bird Week and the Bird of Bellingham.
You can help choose Bellingham’s official bird!
The North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington are inviting the Bellingham community to nominate the "Official Bird of Bellingham." Nominations will be gathered until September 27th and then the top 10 birds will soar into the finals. You can then vote for your favorite finalist during Bellingham Bird Week, happening Oct. 5-11. After voting wraps up, the City of Bellingham will issue an official proclamation recognizing the community's avian icon.
Friday, October 9th, 6PM
Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW)
Public Keynote
Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room
355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Why Birds Matter: Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day
Dr. Jill Deppe, Senior Director, National Audubon Society Migratory Bird Initiative
This public keynote celebrates World Migratory Bird Day and is part of Bellingham Bird Week. Through the story of bird migration, we’ll explore why birds matter, the challenges they face, and how local communities can make a difference. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or just discovering the joy of birds, this keynote is an invitation to connect your passion for birds with meaningful conservation action through Audubon and your local chapter.
Free and open to the public!
Saturday, October 10th, 6PM - 8PM
Bird Trivia w/ Vesper Rothberg
Stemma West Brewing, Mezzanine (Upstairs)
500 Carolina Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Please join North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) conference attendees for an evening of bird trivia led by Vesper Rothberg. As a lifelong birder with a background in biology and fine arts, Rothberg utilizes events like bird trivia, drawing classes, and guided outings to build offline community connection and raise awareness for avian conservation.
Sunday, October 11th, 9AM-11AM
Queer Birding Field Trip w/ Bird! Bellingham and Shifting Gears
Whatcom Falls Park, 1401 Electric Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225
Come find your flock with other nature loving queer folks for a birding field trip guided by queer birder and naturalist, Kate Brown.
The Queer Birding field trip is for queer birders of all abilities and experience levels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or this is your very first time birding, this is a safe space to be yourself, have fun, and get curious about birds with other nature-loving queer folks! This walk is facilitated by experienced queer naturalist and birder Kate Brown, who has over a decade of experience running birding and nature connection programs for folks of all ages. Bring your coffee, a donut, and anything you need to stay comfortable for the duration of our time outside.
Where to Find Us: We will be meeting in Whatcom Falls Park, using the park entrance with a street address of 1401 Electric Avenue. This entrance is the one directly across from Lafeen's donuts, used to access the tennis court and bike pump-track. We will be meeting at a picnic table in the large lawn across from the tennis court.