Soaring to New Heights: Recapping the 2025 San Diego Bird Festival
The 2025 San Diego Bird Festival, held from February 26 to March 2, was a hit! It broke all kinds of records, drawing a huge crowd and making a big splash in the birding world. The festival not only celebrated the wonders of birds but also highlighted the importance of conservation and collaboration in our region.
This year’s festival was bigger and better than ever, with 1,700 birders and nature lovers showing up to take part. The field trips were especially popular, with 1,204 attendees exploring San Diego’s top birding spots. Volunteers really made a difference, logging a remarkable 659 hours just during the festival week! There were also 112 leaders and presenters sharing their knowledge, making the event even more engaging. All in all, participants visited 66 different locations, spotting 216 different bird species.
A record number of exhibitors attended, with birding businesses from all around the world showcasing their products and services. We were excited to have exhibitors visiting all the way from places like Uganda, Ecuador, Panama, and Australia! We were also joined by many of our incredible community partners at booths, as presenters, and as field trip leaders.
Festival Highlights
Amy Tan’s Keynote Address - One of the biggest highlights was our conversation with the amazing Amy Tan, moderated by Tammah Watts. The award-winning author spoke about her life, her writing, and how birds have inspired her work. It was an unforgettable conversation that blended literature, nature, and storytelling in a really meaningful way.
Free Community Days - On March 1 and 2, the festival opened up its doors to the public for free. This was a great chance for people to dive into the birding world with hands-on activities like nature journaling, birdwatching, and the always fun “Big Sit.” The exhibit halls and street fair were buzzing with excitement, and it felt like the entire community was involved.
Camp Surfbird - For the younger birders (ages 13-17), Camp Surfbird was a total hit! This overnight camp gave teens the chance to bond with other young birders, participate in festival activities, and explore San Diego’s birding hotspots. It was a fantastic way to inspire the next generation of bird lovers.
Spanish-Language Programs - We were proud to offer a number of bilingual programs, such as the presentation on the rediscovery of the California Black Rail in Baja California wetlands.
The festival wasn’t just about having a good time—it also played a big part in supporting our efforts to protect local birds and their habitats. All the proceeds from the event go toward conservation, education, and habitat restoration projects, which are crucial for keeping our region’s birds and wildlife thriving.
What’s next?
With record attendance, an incredible mix of local and international exhibitors, and a huge range of activities, this year’s event was a clear reminder of how powerful and inspiring the birding community can be when we come together. We can’t wait to see what next year’s festival will bring—hopefully, even more species, more bird lovers, and even more ways to help protect our feathered friends!
Mark your calendars! Next year’s festival will be February 25 - March 1, 2026.
