Ladd Marsh Bird Festival

The Annual Ladd Marsh Bird Festival is held at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area located about 7 miles south of La Grande, Oregon. The wildlife area, normally closed to visitors during nesting season, will be open all weekend, providing increased opportunities to see an abundance of ducks, geese, raptors, passerines, and shorebirds. During past festivals, upwards of 150 species of birds have been seen over the weekend.

The festival is scheduled at the height of spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde. Few, if any, places in Union County have a more diverse bird population than can be found at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Over 200 species of birds either visit or live permanently at Ladd Marsh. Possible birds to see on the field trips include Great Grey Owl, woodpeckers, and other forest birds, warblers, shorebirds, and more.

While many birders prefer to explore the area on their own, several birding stations will be staffed by local birders on Saturday to assist novice birders in finding and identifying birds. Also included in the event are an evening social and field trips to some of the best birding places in Union County.