Ladd Marsh Bird Festival
A free, uncrowded birding festival at one of eastern Oregon's most diverse wildlife areas — Ladd Marsh hosts over 200 bird species, and the May festival surrounds spring migration with expert field trips, art activities, children's programs, and an evening speaker.
About the event
The Ladd Marsh Bird Festival is held each May at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, approximately seven miles southeast of La Grande in Union County, Oregon. Organized by Friends of Ladd Marsh in partnership with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Eastern Oregon University, Art Center East, and Cook Memorial Library, the festival celebrates World Migratory Bird Day against a backdrop of one of the most bird-rich wetland complexes in the Blue Mountains region.
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area encompasses marshes, wet meadows, and upland habitat that support over 200 bird species — resident and migratory. During May migration, the marsh holds impressive concentrations of ducks, geese, raptors, passerines, and shorebirds, alongside specialties like American bitterns, Virginia rails, sora rails, and great gray owls. The festival is intentionally small and uncrowded, with limited field trip sizes and a genuine community atmosphere that distinguishes it from larger birding events.
What to expect
The festival runs Friday through Sunday, with the heart of the programming on Saturday. Early mornings are essential — field trip groups depart as early as 4:45 a.m. to reach the marsh at peak bird activity. Friday evening opens with a registration, merchandise table, and keynote speaker; the 2026 speaker is ornithologist Rob Miller presenting on short-eared owls.
Saturday brings staffed birding stations at key locations around the marsh from first light through noon, along with art activities (feather decorating, painting, needle-felting), children's STEM programming (owl pellet dissection, bird call learning), and vendor booths. Sunday offers additional guided field trips. The atmosphere throughout is low-key, knowledgeable, and friendly — a birding community event in a small eastern Oregon city rather than a large-scale festival. Festival registration is free and required for marsh access; bring layers for cold May mornings.
Key events
- Evening keynote speaker — Friday evening presentation; 2026 features Rob Miller on short-eared owls. Free with registration.
- Guided field trips — Led by local birding experts; groups capped at 12–15 participants. $25 per trip; registration required. Trips depart 4:45–9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Staffed birding stations — Saturday morning through noon, experienced naturalists at fixed observation points around the marsh to help with identification.
- Art activities — Feather decorating, watercolor painting, needle-felting workshops with registration fees.
- Children's STEM activities — Owl pellet dissection and bird call activities; suitable for all ages.
- Pre-festival events — Community programming at Art Center East and Cook Memorial Library on May 8 and 14.