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!

More events will be added as they are confirmed!

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.

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
Registration link forthcoming!

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!

Registration details forthcoming!

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, 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.

Registration details forthcoming!

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 Christ 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?

Friday, October 9th, 5:30PM
City of Bellingham Welcome and Official Bird of Bellingham Proclamation
Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room
355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Details forthcoming!

Friday, October 9th, 6PM
WSACC Meeting & Public Keynote
Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room
355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

The Washington State Audubon Conservation Council (WSACC) will meet to discuss statewide conservation priorities, resolutions, and advocacy efforts. The evening will conclude with a public keynote address celebrating birds, migration, and conservation.

Saturday, October 10th,
ACOW 2026
Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room
355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

The 2026 ACOW Saturday program will feature collaborative discussions, strategic breakout sessions, chapter recognition, and opportunities to shape the future of Audubon's conservation work in Washington.

Don't let the name fool you. What began as a formal meeting of the Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) has evolved into an impactful gathering of chapter leaders, volunteers, and future leaders from across the state. Whether you've been involved for decades or are just beginning your conservation leadership journey, ACOW is a place to connect, learn, and help shape the future of bird conservation in Washington. Register here!

Saturday, October 10th, 6PM - 8PM
Bird Trivia w/ Vesper Rothberg
location TBA

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

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.