On October 9, 10, and 11 2026 The Monterey Bay Festival of Birds is back for another year
Bird School Project is excited to celebrate the birds of the Monterey Bay with the Festival of Birds during the second weekend in October! With lots of field trips and workshops to sign up for, there will be birding activities for everyone.
🐦 Still Looking for a Festival Adventure?
Many Festival favorites are already sold out, but there are still some incredible field trips, workshops, and FREE activities with space available! We've highlighted a few OPEN trips we're excited about:
#218 & #305 Special Access Birding at Younger Lagoon Reserve
Explore a protected UCSC Natural Reserve that isn't normally open to the general public.
#304 California Specialties & Nest Boxes at Quail Hollow Ranch
Explore unique Santa Cruz habitats and learn about local nest box projects.
#214 Fall Migration Birding at Palo Corona
Explore a fantastic fall birding location with opportunities to spot migrants and local specialties.
#220 Accessible Birding for Everyone at Ensen Community Park — FREE
A welcoming, accessible outing for birders of all experience levels.
#201 Family Birding & Bird Art with MPRPD — FREE
A family-friendly introduction to birds with activities and materials provided.
#113 Birding Pajaro Dunes & River Mouth
A usually restricted access area, explore the shorebirds, warblers and ducks of the area.
#313 Birds & Poetry at Historic Tor House — FREE
Discover birds, poetry, and coastal beauty at the historic Carmel home of poet Robinson Jeffers.
Get your tickets today!
This year’s art of the Brant’s Cormorant created by Noelle Proud
Are you interested in getting involved with the festival?
We are looking for leaders to share their skills for this years festival, and volunteers to help all of the events go smoothly. The Saturday evening Night Market is also recruiting nature vendors and nonprofits. Visit the respective links below and fill out the form of interest and look for an email from the Bird School team!
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the Festival of Birds is held on the traditional and unceded lands of the Amah Mutsun Ohlone, Esselen, Rumsen Ohlone, and Costanoan Rumsen peoples. We honor the Indigenous communities who have cared for this land for generations and continue to steward its natural beauty. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather here and appreciate the rich biodiversity of this region, and we commit to fostering respectful relationships with the land and its original inhabitants. As we acknowledge the Monterey Bay as the homeland of these tribes, we ask that you, as visitors, treat this place with the same respect as those who walked before you.
2022 & 2023 Festival of Birds Gallery
Please join us in having a healthy festival community and keeping others safe.
We are required to follow California state and County regulations and recommendations regarding protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will be following all health and safety guidelines put forth by the CDC and the Santa Cruz County and Monterey County’s Departments of Public Health.