in Ridgefield, Washington
October 9 & 10, 2010
BirdFest and Bluegrass
Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Staff as we celebrate the coming of fall and the wildlife that make the Refuge their winter home. BirdFest and Bluegrass is an opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of fall migration and bluegrass music throughout Ridgefield. Come meet people from near and far during our 11th annual BirdFest and Bluegrass.
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will be free during BirdFest! Suggested Clothing: Appropriate shoes are suggested for any of the tours and walks. Dress in layers for the weather and carry water. Rain or Shine. Even if it is raining you’ll have plenty to enjoy indoors.
Birders’ Marketplace
Birders’ Marketplace will be open Saturday 10:00 to 5:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 4:00. Come and enjoy all the nature inspired items. Fabulous photographs, garden art, jewelry, wood carving, books, bird supplies, glass, ceramics and many more arts and crafts. Come see the Refuge Photography contest winners. Learn something new with exhibits and materials about birds, plants and local wildlife viewing!
SCHEDULE of EVENTS for BirdFest & Bluegrass – 3 locations
Click here to view / print the Schedule of Events
Downtown Ridgefield
Click here to view / print a map of downtown Ridgefield
Food Vendors Both Saturday and Sunday!
Bluegrass Music
Saturday AND Sunday! Please check out the schedule on the Bluegrass page. Purchase your $10 Bluegrass Button to enter Bluegrass events both days.
Family Activities Sat. 10:00 to 4:00. Sun. 11:00 to 4:00 at Davis Park
The Dusky Canada Goose is the theme bird this year. All children’s activities, including games and crafts, are free. Kids fly on over to Davis Park to learn how the Dusky is different from other geese . . . and other interesting bird facts, too! Children can decide “Which Beak Is Best” and see the impact of oil spills on feathers at the “Touch Table/Learning Center”. “Can You Survive? The Migration Game”, the Bird Ball game, and Migration Ring Toss are games that all ages will enjoy. Come join us!
Awards Ceremony Saturday 11:00 at Davis Park
BirdFest and Bluegrass sponsors will be honored and the 2010 Adult and Youth Photography contest category winners will be announced. Pro Photo Supply will be on hand to award the prizes. Meet the Photographers Saturday 12:00 at First Independent Bank lobby, directly following the Award Ceremony at Davis Park. Winning photographs will be displayed and photographers available to talk about their winning shot.
Storytelling Tent Saturday 10:00, 2:00 and 3:30 and Sunday 11:00, 2:00 and 3:00 at Davis Park
Join storyteller Nancy McQuillan for a fun session of stories starring birds. Nature lovers of all ages are welcome.
Wild on Birds of Prey! Saturday 10:00 and Sunday at 12:00 at View Ridge Middle School
Cathi Wright of Wild on Wildlife presents a slide presentation and live birds. Learn all about the different species of raptors and vultures, how to identify them and problems they face in the wild. See photos of raptors that can be seen at the Refuge. Plus meet three live birds up close; a Red-tailed hawk, a Western Screech owl and an endangered falcon species from the southwest, an Aplomado falcon.
Audubon Live Bird Show Saturday 1:00 at View Ridge Middle School
Come meet owls, falcons, and a vulture from the Audubon Society of Portland. Learn about the amazing abilities and adaptations that help them survive in the wild, as you also learn about ways Audubon “inspires people to love and protect nature.” Get up close to some of these birds you’d see on the refuge.
New Technologies for Birders Saturday 2:00 to 3:00 at View Ridge Middle School
Join a panel of experts as they navigate new technology for a birder.
Live Birds Up-Close Display Saturday 2:30 to 3:30, Sunday 1:00 to 3:00 at Davis Park
You can get a close-up look at these magnificent birds, learn about their habitats.
ZAP Oregon Zoo Animal Display Sunday 11:00 to 1:00, at Davis Park
ZAP Teens from the Oregon Zoo will be on hand with a variety of bones, pelt and other hands-on materials that allow you a chance to discover some amazing animal adaptations. Some of the zoo’s touchable animals may join the group (weather permitting).
Learn to Call Geese. Sunday at 1:00 at the Story Telling Tent in Davis Park
Dustin Cornelius will lead a goose calling class/demo on Sunday at 1:00 at the Story Telling Tent in Davis Park.
Refuge Carty Unit & Cathlapotle Plankhouse
Click here to view / print a map of the Refuge
Family Activities Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00
Activities and docent led tours of the Plankhouse will teach the lifestyle of the Chinookan culture through hands-on activities.
“Flint Knapping and Tool Making” Saturday 12:00 to 4:00
Flintknapping demonstrations by renowned flintknapper Dennis Torresdal will be available at the Plankhouse.
Site Walk to Cathlapotle Saturday 10:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 4:00
A guided walk to the Cathlapotle Village archaeology site on the Refuge with an archaeologist.Walk will take approximately 2 hours over uneven terrain and participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing.
Audubon Guided Family Bird Walk Saturday 10:30 to 12:30 and 3:00 to 5:00
A family-friendly nature walk with Audubon naturalists. Bring your children and nurture their appreciation for the wonder and beauty of nature.
Guided Native Plant Walk Saturday 12:00 to 1:30
This family-friendly walk will follow the Oaks to Wetlands trail and look at some of the native plants that Lewis and Clark noted in their journals. Native American uses of some of the plants will be also discussed. 1.5 miles, casual pace. Meet in front of the Cathlapotle House at 12:00.
Geo-Adventures Saturday and Sunday, Anytime between 12:00 to 3:00
Embark on a Geo-Adventure! Anybody who likes to solve puzzles and enjoy the great outdoors will like this activity. It’s a mystery to be solved by visiting GPS locations within the Carty Refuge Unit. Supplies include a bag of clues and a journal that guide you and your family along your journey. Using a GPS unit and a set of clues, your task is to find the answers to the questions using navigational and logical skills. Bring or borrow a GPS unit. Pick up your Geo-Adventure Bag at the Carty Unit.
Refuge Archaeology Update: Saturday 1:00
Archaeologists will be speaking about the archaeology sites on the refuge and new information regarding those sites.
Geology Walk Sunday 11:00
“Missoula Floods on the Refuge – Montana Comes to Ridgefield”. Guided by Jim Maul.
“Tribal Journey Traditions” Sunday 11:15
A presentation by Sam Robinson, Vice-Chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation.
“Chinookan Art and Culture” Sunday 12:00
Presenter is Tony Johnson, Artist, member of the Chinook Indian Nation and Chairman of the Chinook Cultural Committee.
Traditional Salmon Bake Sunday 1:00 to 3:00
Join us for a blessing of the food, including drumming by members of the Chinook Indian Nation and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and taste the traditionally baked salmon, oysters, and clams. Complimentary samplings while supplies last.
Refuge River ‘S’ Unit
Family Activities Saturday and Sunday 9:00 to 4:00
Bird Bingo all ages will enjoy, as you travel around the River ‘S’ Unit. Mark off birds you see – 3 in a row wins a prize!
Refuge Guided Bus Tours Saturday 8:00 to 5:00
Join a free guided bus tour of the River ‘S’ Unit departing hourly from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from the Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church, 1410 S. Hillhurst Rd. Refuge staff will highlight the refuge’s history, management, and wildlife during the tours. Please note: each tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and this will be the only access to River ‘S’ on Saturday. Either park at or shuttle to the Community United Methodist Church to catch the Guided Bus Tours.
Guided Van Tours: Sunday 9:00 to 4:00 (departing hourly)
Guided Van tours of the River ‘S’ Unit with Refuge staff. This a a great chance to meet Refuge personnel and to learn about the management and resources of the Refuge. Note please allow 1.5 hrs, for the tour. Meet at the River ‘S’ visitor contact station.
Audubon Guided Bird Walk Sunday 9:00 to 11:00, and 3:00 to 5:00
A family friendly nature walk with Audubon naturalists. Bring your children and nurture their appreciation for the wonder and beauty of nature. Meet at the Kiwa Trail head.
Audubon Guided Nature Walk Sunday 10:30 to 12:30: Meet at the Kiwa Trail head.
Audio CD for Tour Route Available Sunday and throughout the year, enjoy the discovery audio interpretive tour of the River ‘S’ Unit. Pick up a CD at the visitor contact station, and follow the markers around the auto tour route. Find out why this land became a Refuge, what are those big furry animals in the water, and why does the habitat look different in the winter and fall.
You can also download the podcast at: www.RidgefieldFriends.org
The BIG SIT at River ‘S’ Sunday 8:00 to 4:00
Join the “Resting Birders” team for a Big Sit (A bird-a-thon in that the object is to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard) at the River ‘S’ David Dynes Blind. This national event collects data from a centralized circle. So as the Vancouver Audubon folks and FWS folks staff the observation blind on Sunday, they will maintain a list of all heard and seen from the Observation Blind. Folks can visit, view birds, help identify birds for the list, and visit a survey in action. Stay for 5 minutes or 5 hours, but consider bringing a chair for an extended sit.
BirdFest & Bluegrass Activities occur at these three locations:
- Downtown Ridgefield:
Birders’ Marketplace is in the Ridgefield Community Center: 210 N Main Ave.
Davis Park: 212 N Main Ave.
Public Boat Launch: 5 Mill St.
View Ridge Middle School: 510 Pioneer St.
Bluegrass Music Locations: Saturday and Sunday this year
Old Liberty Theater: 115 N Main Ave.
Pickled Heron Gallery: 418 Pioneer St.
Various locations throughout downtown Ridgefield: For schedule see Bluegrass Music page.
Main Street will be closed 11-5 on Saturday for Jamming.
- Refuge Carty Unit and Cathlapotle Plankhouse:
Carty Unit: 290th & N. Main Ave.
Plankhouse: Carty Unit, over bridge. The Carty Unit is north of town .75 mile. Allow 20 minutes to transit from Downtown to the Carty Unit.
- Refuge River ‘S’ Unit and Kiwa Trail:
Community United Methodist Church: 1410 S. Hillhurst Saturday only
River ‘S’ Unit: (River ‘S’ information booth Sunday only) The River ‘S’ Unit is south of town. Allow 30 minutes to transit from Downtown to the River ‘S’ Unit entrance. Allow 45 minutes to get from Downtown to the Kiwa Trail. Kiwa Trail is half way around the driving loop on the River ‘S’ Unit.
HELP US GO GREEN
Park & Ride between venues! The River ‘S’ Unit will be closed to car traffic on Saturday. A free shuttle bus will operate on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on the hour. Park at the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene (Sat. only), and catch the shuttle to activities downtown, on the Carty Unit, or link up (Sat. only) with a guided bus tour of the River ‘S’ Unit occurring every hour on the hour. Your use of the shuttles will greatly help to reduce traffic throughout the town and at event sites. Sunday a free shuttle bus will operate from 12:00 to 5:00 PM to a reduced number of stops. Shuttle Bus Saturday & reduced schedule on Sunday. The shuttle will run continuously and should arrive approximately every 30 minutes at these locations:
BirdFest Shuttle Bus Stops and Information Booths:
Community United Methodist Church parking lot at 1410 S Hillhurst. Connect to the guided bus tours on the River ‘S’ Unit in this parking lot. Saturday.
Nazarene Church parking lot at 747 Pioneer St. Saturday.
The Pickled Heron Gallery 418 Pioneer St. Sunday.
Davis Park – Birders’ Marketplace at the intersection of Mill St. and Main Ave. Saturday and Sunday. No parking at Davis Park, Street parking in neighborhoods as posted.
Carty Unit (Plankhouse) parking lot at 28908 NW Main Ave. Saturday and Sunday. Wheel Chair Access: For questions about access to BirdFest events and venues, please contact Eric Anderson at 360-887-4106.
About the Refuge
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provides habitat to more than 200 species of birds. Established in 1965 for the protection of wintering dusky Canada geese and waterfowl and other migratory birds, the refuge offers excellent birding and heritage opportunities. In addition to our natural treasures, cultural treasures include the site of the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle visited by Lewis and Clark, two Lewis and Clark campsites (Wapato Portage and Post Office Lake) and the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. Enjoy the refuge and have a great time at BirdFest and Bluegrass.
About the Friends
The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (FRNWR) is a non-profit community group dedicated to supporting the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. We sponsor programs and activities that connect people with nature, restore important wildlife habitat and provide a living classroom to area children. We need your support as a member! Join now during our BirdFest and Bluegrass Membership Drive.
Food available this year will be:
Starline for espresso and ice cream
Vinnie’s Pizza
Old Liberty Theater serving Coffee and Pastries
Sportsman Bar & Grill serving BBQ sandwiches
El Rancho Viejo with Mexican dishes
Pioneer Street Cafe with Italian delights
Please visit this page for the Kayak & Canoe Tours.
Please visit the Special Tours and Events page for the Sandhill Crane Tours by Reservation Only.