All About our Festival and Special Events
Besides the mid-April main festival, the Godwit Days organization hosts special events throughout the year. See the descriptions listed below or go to our Events page to see a complete listing of all currently scheduled events.
To register for events online, you will begin on the Events page and create your User Account the first time that you Check-Out. If you already have a User Account, go to the log-in page. Here is a link to a page that explains our Accounts and Booking process.
Cancellation Policy: Full refunds (minus a $10 non-refundable processing fee) are available if a participant cancels before 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023. A 50% refund is available if a participant cancels before 5 p.m. on Monday, April 10th, 2023. No refunds are available after that date and time. Please note that those who cancel their registration will still have access to the virtual part of the 2023 festival. A full refund is automatically issued for any events canceled by event organizers at their discretion.
Waiver of Liability: Godwit Days non-profit organization requires a waiver of liability for participation in field trips and activities during the Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival held April 13-16, 2023 and other Special Events. (See the full Waiver here.) You will be required to signify that you have read the Waiver on the Check-out page. Agreeing to these terms indicates that you understand that any activities, especially those out of doors, entail some risk, and that you agree to hold harmless Godwit Days, its officers, agents, contractors, or organizers, from and against any and all claims & liability for damage or injury to persons or property resulting from your own personal activity, conduct or actions.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols (as of 1/13/23): Godwit Days participants assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and its variants. Godwit Days will comply with Humboldt County Health Department mandates and recommended guidelines that are in effect during the festival. Current safety protocols strongly recommend (but do not require) indoor masking. Any changes to Humboldt County COVID mandates and recommended guidelines will be e-mailed to registrants and posted on our website.
Special Fundraising Events and Spring Festival
Pints for Non-profits (April 5, 2023)
Join Godwit Days at Redwood Curtain Brewing Company, 550 South G Street in Arcata on Wednesday, April 5, social starting at 5 p.m. One dollar of every draft beer sold between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. will support the Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival. Field trip leaders will be gathering here for their orientation so be sure to come by, buy a beer, and say hello!
The Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival (April 13-16, 2023)
This exciting 4-day hybrid festival features in-person field trips, a pelagic trip, virtual workshop, banquet, silent auction, and keynote lectures. Listen to fascinating lectures by acclaimed biologists, go on birding trips, and view species in their natural habitats. Held at the peak of spring migration, shorebirds abound and special opportunities are planned to see many other species, including Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl, and Tufted Puffin. [See event listing.]
Birding on the Madaket (Summer 2023 – TBD)
Each summer we offer leisurely boat trips aboard the historic Madaket vessel out of Humboldt Bay, Eureka, CA. Local bird experts narrate this tour around the bay while participants sit back and relax with appetizers and their choice of a glass of beer or wine. We have been offering this trip since 2010 and it has been very popular. We encourage people to sign-up early as these trips do sell out quickly.
About our field trips
All in-person field trips will meet at locations specified in each trip description. Please refer to the event listing for location and links for use in Google Maps.
Suggested things to bring: Comfortable hiking boots/shoes, warm clothes (dress in layers), rain gear, binoculars, scope and tripod, camera, field guide, bird checklist, notebook and pencil, sunscreen, insect repellent, FRS handheld radio (channel 7), water, and food (trips do not make stops unless otherwise noted).
*Keep in mind that some trips lack bathroom access.