15th Annual Tofino Shorebird Festival

A series of fun and educational events for bird enthusiasts of all ages, the Tofino Shorebird Festival celebrates the thousands of migratory shorebirds passing through Tofino yearly from late April through May on their journey from South and Central America northward to their Arctic breeding grounds.

Raincoast Education Society Unveils Calendar of Events for 15th Annual Tofino Shorebird Festival, May 4-6, 2012

Tofino, BC, April 24, 2012 – Tourism Tofino and the Raincoast Education Society today unveiled the calendar of events for the 15th annual Tofino Shorebird Festival taking place from May 4-6, 2012 in Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

A series of fun and educational events for bird enthusiasts of all ages, the Tofino Shorebird Festival celebrates the thousands of migratory shorebirds passing through Tofino yearly from late April through May on their journey from South and Central America northward to their Arctic breeding grounds. The protected forests, expansive mudflats, long, sandy beaches and rocky shorelines of the Tofino area provide the right combination of habitats to attract more than 40 species of shorebirds, including Western Sandpipers, Dunlin, and the largest migratory concentrations of Whimbrels in British Columbia. The threatened Red Knot is also a regular visitor to Tofino each spring.

“During last year’s festival we welcomed more than 35,000 birds a day,” said Dan Harrison, Executive Director, Raincoast Education Society. “Whether you’re a seasoned birder on your ‘big year’ or a new birder who can’t tell a grebe from a goose, the Tofino Shorebird Festival has something for everyone.”

Tofino Shorebird Festival highlights Include:

“Shorebirds of the Western Hemisphere” presentation

Friday, May 4th; 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Darwin’s Café, Tofino Botanical Gardens
($10 including tax per person)
A slideshow of migrating shorebirds in South and Central America presented by special delegates from the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN).

“People of a Feather” Movie Night

Saturday, May 5th; 8:00pm – 9:30pm; Clayoquot Community Theatre
($10 including tax per person)
Groundbreaking footage from seven Arctic winters and the world of Inuit on the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay, connecting past, present and future and the unique cultural relationship with the eider duck.

Guided Boat Tour to Cleland Island Seabird Colony

Sunday, May 6th; 9:00am – 12:00pm
($55 including tax per person. Tickets: Jamie’s Whaling Station, 1V800V667V9913 or info@jamies.com.)
A three hour boat trip with Cleland Island Ecological Reserve Warden Pete Clarkson to view Tufted Puffins, Marbled Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Black Oystercatchers.Other Tofino Shorebird Festival events include birding by kayak, shorebird viewing hikes, birding workshops and an art show.

For a complete list of events visit www.tofinoshorebirdfestival.com

General Festival & Events Contact

Dan Harrison, Executive Director
Raincoast Education Society
p: 250A725A2560
e: info@raincoasteducation.org

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