Now's the time to talk about one of the great shorebird migrations -- that of the Marbled Godwit.  This is a particularly cool-looking bird that we’ve been enjoying on our coastlines this winter. Right now, however, they’re beginning to pick up and fly toward breeding grounds in the northern prairies of North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, and Saskatchewan (a small population breeds on the Alaska Peninsula). Although some of these birds remain at their wintering sites year-round, we are seeing many of them head north and eastward.

On the northern coast of California, the community Arcata celebrates the annual arrival of the Marbled Godwits as they stage for their further migration north with Godwit Days. That birding festival started today and runs through the 24th. If you're going to be in the area, you should definitely stop by. Particularly on Saturday, April 20, when Audubon Chief Scientist Gary Langham will be this year's keynote speaker.