Birding is everywhere around Stanwood and Camano Island.  The Snow Geese will soon be leaving the Stillaguamish and Skagit River deltas for Wrangel Island.  They have been in the Stanwood area fields for a few months now and will continue northwest some time in March.
Join us Saturday in February 28, 2026 9 – 4 pm to learn more about this spectacular Pacific Flyway migration as well other local birding activities.

There will be speakers, bus tours, displays, vendors, art, and children’s activities.
Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center
Stanwood, Washington.
27130 102nd Ave NW

Check in at the ramp entrance or the front door.
$10.00 entrance fee plus additional $10.00 for lunch (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) (cash preferred)

Tickets are needed for the bus tours and and the programs. They are free but request them when checking in, there is a limited supply. They will be collected by the drivers and a program attendant.
Please dress for the weather if you are planning on the bus tour.

BUS TOURS
There will be 12 shuttle bus tours (one hour) with very knowledgeable local birding experts to  Leque Island (WDFW) and Big Ditch (WDFW)

The one hour morning bus tours will have space for 11-12 people each and leave on hour at
9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm and 2 pm.

Two Hour shuttle bus tours (meet in front of the Floyd)
Morning tour 9:30 am -1 pm
Afternoon tour 1 PM – 4 pm
There will be space for about 10 people

SPEAKERS
Programs are located Upstairs at the Floyd (3rd floor); An elevator is available;  seating is included in entry fee but pick your ticket when checking in.

10:00 a.m. – Living with Bald Eagles by Pat Holmes
Photographer and storyteller, Pat Holmes will provide information about our local Stanwood and Camano eagles. She has been monitoring State Park Bald Eagles since 2014. The State Park rangers taught her a lot about eagles and got her started in presenting her stories and photos to the campers at the parks. She continues to study all about eagles and spends hours under specific nests throughout the active season.

11:30 a.m. – All About Owls by Brian Zinke

Cultures all around the world have revered owls for millennia, and to this day owls continue to have an allure that keeps us in awe. In Washington, we are fortunate to have 15 species of owl sharing our landscapes with us. Come learn which species we have, their fascinating ecologies, and what makes owls so unique in the bird world.  Brian Zinke is the Executive Director of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, which serves Snohomish County and Camano Island.

1:00 p.m. – Washington’s White Birds of Winter – Swans and Snow Geese by Martha Jordan

Martha Jordan, well-known swan biologist, will present a program regarding the changing landscape that our swans and snow geese now face in migration and on their wintering grounds. You will learn about their life history, biology, and what influences their distribution  across our state and the flyway. She will shed some light on the problems and controversies these birds face on their wintering grounds and what is needed to ensure their future.  There is a special emphasis for Washington east of the Cascades.  Martha Jordan has a B.S. degree in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University and a career active in both field work and education related to both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans throughout the region. She is currently the Executive Director of Northwest Swan Conservation Association, a regional non-profit. The focus is on our native swans and their habitats throughout the northwest region.

2:30 p.m. – Lights Out for Birds: How Reducing Nighttime Light Saves Migratory Species by Brian Zinke

Each year, millions of birds migrate across our region under the cover of darkness. But increasing levels of artificial light at night are disorienting these travelers, drawing them into cities where they face fatal collisions with buildings, windows, and other structures.
Join us for an illuminating presentation on the Lights Out initiative, a growing effort to reduce light pollution during peak migration. In this presentation, we’ll explore why birds are vulnerable to nighttime light, examples of successful Lights Out programs, and practical steps we can take here in western Washington to help our birds navigate the night skies safely.

Festival Headquarters
Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center
27130 102nd Ave NW, Stanwood, WA
360.629.6110
www.sahs-fncc.org

PARKING:
Please park in parking area behind the Floyd or in city parking east of the Food Bank or in the Stanwood Elementary School parking lot (two blocks north)
(sorry no dogs since there are live birds in the building).

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, SPEAKERS & VOLUNTEERS!
Northwest Swan Conservation Assn.
Pilchuck Audubon Society
Sound Water Stewards
Friends of Camano Island Parks (FOCIP)
Camano Wildlife Habitat (FOCIP)
Stanwood Camano Arts Advisory Commission (SCAAC)
Camano Arts Association
Camano Island Chamber of Commerce,
Stanwood Commerce Alliance
City of Stanwood

and the Stanwood Area Historical Society members for the lunch and history exhibit tours!

Artwork for the poster by Holly Stafford, https://www.hollysimages.com/

Poster for printing 7″x 10″
Poster for printing 11″ x 17″ 17mb
This festival began in 2006 and after missing a few years, returned last year in 2024.  It has always had a contest to select a local artist to design artwork for the poster.
See the artists selected over the years at Snow Goose Festival Collection.
Questions? Please email  Judy Fernandes fnccmanager@sahs-fncc.org