I don't know about you, but I find February a hard month to decide where to go birding. This last month of winter has no new bird movements. This can actually be a good thing, as any rare bird reported in the last several weeks is likely sitting tight wherever it is, waiting for spring.
There is one group of birds for which February is often the best time... gulls. Because they are difficult to identify in their immature plumages, many birders "don't do gulls." But there are known concentration points, such as landfills, sewage lagoons, and city parks, where these birds gather in late winter. They allow close study (and photos).
One such place is Westmoreland Park in Portland, Oregon. (See Birding Oregon info.)
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
I am scheduled to give a presentation at the Winter Wings Festival in Klamath Falls, February 19 (see below). I hope the passes over the Cascades are free of ice and snow! My second wish is for sunny weather for photos that weekend--as I haven't birded in this area in many years!
Bird Festivals:
San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
February 10-12, 2012
Mare Island, California
http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/
Winter Wings Festival
February 17-19, 2012
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Begun as the Klamath Falls Eagle Conference over 30 years ago, this is the longest-running festival in the United States! Naturalist, birder, and author Kenn Kaufmann and international photographer Darrell Gulin will be the keynote speakers.
http://www.winterwingsfest.org/
Whooping Crane Festival
February 23-26, 2012
Port Aransas, Texas
http://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/
California Duck Days
February 24-25, 2012
Davis, California
abrice@yolobasin.org
Cove Palisades Eagle Watch
February 25-26, 2012
Madras, Oregon
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_32.php?eventid=4026&md=event
Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival
February 25-26, 2012
Stanwood, Washington
http://www.snowgoosefest.org/Home.html