Western Field Ornithologists Conference

Each year WFO holds a multi-day conference with scientific papers, field trips, workshops, panels, a keynote address, the annual membership meeting, and other events. The location varies each year as WFO attempts to span its region of coverage while also making its conferences accessible to the bulk of its members.

Western Field Ornithologists and
Washington Ornithological Society are teaming up for the

2025 Annual Conference
5–8 June
Yakima Convention & Event Center
Yakima, Washington

Nestled between the majestic Cascade Mountains and the serene Columbia River, Yakima Valley offers an unparalleled diversity of habitats perfect for birding enthusiasts. From alpine tundra and evergreen forests to desert canyons, grasslands, and riparian woodlands, this region is a haven for avian species and their admirers. Whether you’re drawn to the open pine forest or marsh wetlands, Yakima and its neighboring counties provide ideal conditions for seeing a wide range of birdlife in action.

The 2025 program will combine the best of both organizations including:

• Stump the Experts: Bird Quiz Night with Dennis Paulson and Shep Thorp
• Sound Identification Team Challenge with Nathan Pieplow
• Educational workshops and presentations of original scientific research
• Full-day and half-day birding field trips will cover a diverse range of habitats from the wetlands and shrubsteppe of lower elevations to the open forests on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
  • Over 190 species of breeding birds and migrants are possible through various trips.
  • Woodpeckers are a particular highlight, with 11 of 12 of Washington’s breeding woodpeckers possible on field trips.
  • Yakima and Kittitas Counties have a high diversity of owls; up to nine owl species could be possible on various field trips.

Registration opens March 11, 2025 at 8:00 am PST.
Before you register, review the field trip options for each day and rank order your preferences.

If you try to register for a field trip that is full, you will be directed to choose another field trip at checkout. The field trips that are full will be in lighter gray typeface. Return to the Field Trip page and select another field trip to complete your registration. Registering for field trips is a dynamic process. There are a limited number of spots for each field trip. Until you check out and pay, you have not reserved your field trips.

Visit our website for more information and to register.