Seattle Naturalists’ Event Roundup: May 11th to May 17, 2026

Saturday is absolutely packed with TIDEPOOLING, beach naturalist programs, spring migration birding, prairie restoration, pollinator festivals, a bug walk, astronomy events, and wildflower outings across the Puget Sound region. Thousands of birds are migrating through the Pacific Flyway, some of our best daytime low tides are back, and community science and habitat restoration events are in full swing. From the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest and Seward Park bird outings to tidepool exploration, bee festivals, and late-night stargazing, there are opportunities all day to get outside and connect with nature.

As always, check event pages for updates, cancellations, registration, or gear requirements before heading out. Be mindful stewards of the land. Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and care for shared spaces.

Viola sempervirens (Evergreen Violet). Learn more about this plant at WNPS: Sou

Monday, May 11

Volunteer Monday (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Organization: The Heron’s Nest
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.theheronsnest.org/events

Class: Avian Engineers: How Birds Build Nests (Online)

Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Organization: Pilchuck Audubon
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/calendar

Tuesday, May 12

Birding: Union Bay Natural Area (Seattle)

Time: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Organization: Pilchuck Audubon
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/calendar

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Magnuson Park (Seattle)

Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Panel Discussion: Climate Change and Braided Knowledge (Seattle)

Time: 6:00 PM
Organization: Burke Museum
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.burkemuseum.org/calendar

Climate Watch Prospective Volunteer Info Session (Online)

Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

APsig – Astrophotography (Online)

Time: 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Cost: Free
Format: Online
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Field Trip: NextGen Owl Prowl at Seward Park (Seattle)

Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Wild Mushroom Puzzles: Solving the Riddles of Where, When, and How to Look for Edible Spring Fungi (Seattle)

Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Puget Sound Mycological Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://psms.org/

Wednesday, May 13

Webinar: The Stewardship Network Hosts Crab Team (Online)

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Organization: Washington Sea Grant
Cost: Free
Format: Online

Eco-Tour (Duwamish Longhouse)

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Organization: Duwamish Tribe
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.duwamishtribe.org/events-1

Birds of Seattle Lunch and Learn

Time: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Molt Search Season Kickoff Webinar! (Online)

Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Organization: Washington Sea Grant
Cost: Free
Format: Online

Birding for Beginners (Seattle)

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Organization: Seward Park Audubon Center
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.audubon.org/events?view_type=row&location=Seward%20Park%20Audubon%20Center

Seattle Nature Journaling Club 2026 (Seattle)

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Organization: Hammer & Hemlock
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://hammerandhemlock.com/products/nature-journaling-club-2026?variant=47674633191611

Pelagic Birding (Online)

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Thursday, May 14

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

Time: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
Organization: Wenatchee River Institute
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/overview.html

Drop-In Social Hour (Seattle)

Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Lightning Talks: Corals (Online)

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: Online
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/events/

Author Talk: Street Trees of Seattle

Time: 6:00 PM
Organization: Burke Museum
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.burkemuseum.org/calendar

BIRD UNIVERSITY: Birds of the Central Puget Lowlands

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Photography Group (Online)

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Eastside Audubon
Cost: Free
Format: Online
Link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar?view=calendar&month=05-2026

Olympia Lecture: Washington Natural Areas Program

Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Organization: Friends of Salish Sea
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://friendsofsalishsea.org/upcoming-events/

General Meeting (Kent)

Time: 7:00 PM
Organization: Cascade Mineralogical Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person

Pier Peer at Boston Harbor Marina (Olympia)

Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Organization: Puget Sound Estuarium
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://pugetsoundestuarium.org/events-calendar/

Friday, May 15

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

Time: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
Organization: Wenatchee River Institute
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/overview.html

Central Puget Sound: Watch ’em Bloom (Seattle)

Time: 10:30 AM
Organization: Washington Native Plant Society – Central Puget Sound
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.wnps.org/central-puget-sound

Morse Wildlife Preserve (Graham)

Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Organization: Forterra
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://forterra.org/events/

Covington City Park – Astronomy Class & Stargazing

Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Duvall Stargazing

Time: 8:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Saturday, May 16

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

Time: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
Organization: Wenatchee River Institute
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/overview.html

Birdathon Field Trip: Warblers & Woodpeckers at Oxbow Loop Trail (North Bend)

Time: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Organization: Eastside Audubon
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar?view=calendar&month=05-2026

BIRD UNIVERSITY: Birds of the Columbia Plateau

Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Snoqualmie Point Park / Rattlesnake Ridge

Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Bird Walk at Tolt-MacDonald Park (Carnation)

Time: 7:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Organization: Eastside Audubon
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar?view=calendar&month=05-2026

Field Trip: Union Bay Natural Area (Seattle)

Time: 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

BIRD UNIVERSITY: Birds of the Central Puget Lowlands

Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Seward Park (Seattle)

Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Hutt Park Habitat Restoration (Edmonds)

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Sound Salmon Solutions
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.soundsalmonsolutions.org/events

Meet the Beach at Burfoot Park (Olympia)

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Organization: Puget Sound Estuarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://pugetsoundestuarium.org/events-calendar/

Mima Mounds Work Party (Olympia)

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Organization: Friends of Salish Sea
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://friendsofsalishsea.org/upcoming-events/

Seahurst Beach Naturalists (Burien)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Environmental Science Center
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.envsciencecenter.org/event-details/seahurst-beach-naturalists-1

Beach Naturalist: Olympic Sculpture Park / Pocket Beach (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/beach-naturalist/

Beach Naturalist: Richmond Beach (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/beach-naturalist/

Beach Naturalist: Seahurst Beach (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/beach-naturalist/

Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol (ETAP) (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Organization: Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
Cost: Free
Format: In-person

Wenas Wildlife Area Wildflower Walk (Selah)

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Organization: Washington Native Plant Society – Central Puget Sound
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.wnps.org/central-puget-sound

Astrophotography Special Interest Group (Bainbridge Island)

Time: 11:00 AM
Organization: Battle Point Observatory
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://bpastro.org/events/

West Seattle Bee Festival

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Organization: West Seattle Bee Garden + Partners
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: http://www.westseattlebeegarden.com/

Science, Nature, & a Biscuit: Seattle Field Guide (Seattle)

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Organization: Seward Park Audubon Center
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.mobilize.us/seward-park-audubon/event/937594/

Scarabs Bug Field Trip to St. Edward State Park (Kenmore)

Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Organization: Scarabs: The Bug Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.meetup.com/scarabs-the-bug-society/events/314695949/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

Snoqualmie Point Park Stargazing

Time: 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Sunday, May 17

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

Time: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
Organization: Wenatchee River Institute
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/overview.html

BIRD UNIVERSITY: Birds of the Columbia Plateau

Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: $
Format: Online
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Field Trip: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Time: 6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Marymoor Park (Redmond)

Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Urban Birding: Downtown Tour (Olympia)

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Puget Sound Estuarium
Cost: $
Format: In-person
Link: https://pugetsoundestuarium.org/events-calendar/

Seahurst Beach Naturalists (Burien)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Environmental Science Center
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.envsciencecenter.org/event-details/seahurst-beach-naturalists-1

Beach Naturalist: Des Moines

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/beach-naturalist/

Beach Naturalist: Golden Gardens (Seattle)

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/beach-naturalist/

Transmasc Seattle Tidepooling (Shoreline)

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Organization: Transmasc Seattle
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://www.instagram.com/transmascseattle/

Meet the Beach at Tolmie State Park (Olympia)

Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Organization: Puget Sound Estuarium
Cost: Free
Format: In-person
Link: https://pugetsoundestuarium.org/events-calendar/

Bat Trivia Night at Old Stove Gardens (Seattle)

Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Organization: Bats Northwest
Cost: Free
Format: In-person

Alki Beach, West Seattle