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, April 4, 2024. A 50% refund is available if a participant cancels before 5 p.m. on Monday, April 15th, 2024. No refunds are available after that date and time. A full refund is automatically issued for any events canceled by event organizers at their discretion. For special events, a full refund is available if a participant cancels before two weeks of the event, a 50% refund if canceled within 2 weeks of the event, and no refunds if canceled the day of the event.

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 18-21, 2024, 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. Signing a waiver of liability form is also required to attend any Special Events.

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 4, 2024)

Join us to support Godwit Days at The Pub at The Creamery 824 L Street Suite A in Arcata on Thursday, April 4, with a social starting at 5 p.m. One dollar of every draft beer, kombucha, cider, and soda sold between 4 p.m. and 11 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 beverage, and say hello!

The Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival  (April 18-21, 2024)

This exciting 4-day festival features in-person field trips, a banquet, a silent auction, and keynote lectures. Listen to fascinating presentations by acclaimed biologists, go on birding trips, and view species in their natural habitats during this all ages event. Held at the peak of spring migration, shorebirds abound and special opportunities are planned to see many other species, including CA Condor, Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl, and Tufted Puffin.  [See event listing.]

Birding on the Madaket  (August 25 & September 8, 2024)

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.

Fall Pelagic Tour (September 22, 2024)

2024 marks our 2nd annual Fall Pelagic Tour. This sea-faring tour will leave from Humboldt Bay and travel out 15-20 miles offshore with the main focus on the Eel River Canyon and hopes to see various types of seabirds that live offshore in the pelagic zone like albatross, shearwaters, fulmars, auklets, and maybe even storm-petrels or a Tufted Puffin. Marine mammals are also expected to be seen. This trip sells out quickly – reserve your spot early!

 

 


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.