Festival Overview
Field Trips
Explore San Diego’s birding hotspots with some of the best guides in the county. From coastal wetlands to mountain forests, our field trips are a chance to find local specialties and migrants, learn from experts, and meet fellow festival-goers.
Field trips come in two types:
Bus Trips – Transportation is included. Board at Marina Village Conference Center and we’ll take you to the field trip site and back.
Meet-You-There Trips – Get yourself to the trip site and meet your guide there. Directions and meeting details are provided.
Community Days
Saturday, February 20, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, February 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Marina Village Conference Center
Free and open to all, no registration needed. Drop in for an hour or stay all day.
Live bird presentations, plus a full schedule of talks and activities in two classrooms
Outdoor activities with our community partners
Food available for purchase
Camp Surfbird
For birders ages 13–17
Friday, February 19 - Sunday, February 21 · YMCA Camp Surf
Camp Surfbird is an overnight birding camp built around the San Diego Bird Festival. Campers spend the weekend exploring the region’s best birding spots, joining festival programs, and connecting with other young birders from across the country.
Camp Surfbird is a partnership between San Diego Bird Alliance and the American Birding Association.
Keynote Speakers
Every year, the festival brings together voices from across the birding world to share what they’ve learned in the field, in the lab, and in their communities. Here’s who’s joining us in 2027.
Marco Wendt – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Wildlife Ambassador
Bonner Black – Singer-songwriter and Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ambassador
Amar Ayyash – Author, The Gull Guide
Extremely Accurate Bird Songs – Podcasters & Performers
Jason Hall – Founder, In Color Birding, and Festival Scientist in Residence
Krisztina Scheeff – Nature Photographer and Tour Operator
Past speakers have included David Sibley (The Sibley Guide to Birds), Kenn Kaufman (field guide author and naturalist), Amy Tan (novelist and author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles), Christian Cooper (author of Better Living Through Birding), John Fitzpatrick (former director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology), Makeda “Dread” Cheatom (founder, WorldBeat Cultural Center), Tammah Watts (author of Keep Looking Up), Dexter Patterson (author of Birds of the Great Lakes), Rosemary Mosco (science cartoonist, Bird and Moon), and Rebecca Heisman (author of Flight Paths).
Classroom Programs
Learn something new about birds, whether you’re just starting out or have been birding for years.
Skill-building workshops, from bird ID to photography to nature journaling
Talks on bird behavior and biology
Where to find birds in San Diego and beyond
The connections between birds and people across cultures
Silent Auction
Bid on birding gear, art, experiences, and local favorites at this year’s silent auction. Every bid supports San Diego Bird Alliance’s work to protect birds and their habitats and connect people of all ages with nature across San Diego County.
Want to donate an item? We welcome donations of art, gear, getaways, guided experiences, gift certificates. Contact Jen at jhajj@sandiegobirdalliance.org.
Exhibit Hall
Meet local and national vendors and connect with our conservation partners, all in one place.
Test the latest binoculars, scopes, and cameras
Plan your next trip with bird tour companies from around the world
Shop bird-themed art, photography, gifts, and gear
Learn how local conservation groups are protecting birds and habitats, and how you can help
The Red Bird Bookstore
Browse new and used books on birds and nature, plus apparel, stickers, and gifts to remember your 2027 San Diego Bird Festival experience.