Since 2015, Friends of the Inyo’s Owens Lake Bird Festival in Lone Pine, California, has been celebrating the migration of thousands of birds as they alight at Owens Lake to replenish their strength before continuing on their transcontinental journey along the Pacific Flyway, which extends from Alaska to Patagonia. Owens Lake has been designated a Nationally Significant Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy.

But Friends of the Inyo’s Owens Lake Bird Festival is more than just about birding, and outings are designed to cover topics that include botany, photography, geology, local history and culture, and more to complement the experience.

There are numerous trips and activities to choose from.

• Friday, April 21: Happy Hour and Check-in at FOI’s Lone Pine Office, 142 E. Bush Street, from 5:30-8:00 PM (optional)
• Saturday, April 22: Half-Day Morning and Afternoon tours, as well as Full-Day Tours starting from the parking lot of the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History, 701 S. Main Street. The day will end with a celebratory catered Dinner (optional), also at the Museum, starting at 6 PM, and featuring Local Speakers, Two Film Screenings, and a Silent Auction with goods donated by local businesses.
• Sunday, April 23: Morning half-day tours, also starting from the Museum.

All trips will be led by knowledgeable birders, naturalists, and photographers who have been affiliated with the Bird Festival since its inception. Trip leaders will be in touch with registrants in their specific groups to provide details about what to bring (e.g., high-clearance vehicles – if needed – depending on the destination, lunch, binoculars, etc.).

Questions? Write to Kayla Browne at kayla@friendsoftheinyo.org.

Click here for more information and to register.