The oldest birding festival in West Virginia just hit a milestone — and it’s still drawing serious birders to one of the most ecologically important migratory corridors in the eastern United States.
The New River Birding and Nature Festival held its 25th season April 27–May 2, 2026, based at Opossum Creek Retreat in Lansing, Fayette County. The festival brings together expert guides and participants for a week of field trips through New River Gorge National Park and surrounding habitats during the peak of spring migration. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has identified the New River Gorge region as critical breeding and staging habitat for species including the Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager — birds whose populations are monitored closely by conservation scientists.
What began in 2002 as a modest birding event has grown into one of the most respected field festival experiences in the eastern United States, drawing participants from across the country who come specifically for the combination of expert guiding, species diversity, and the gorge’s distinctive spring ecology. The festival generates meaningful economic activity for Fayette County businesses during what is otherwise a shoulder season for tourism. Its 25th year marks a milestone for an event that has become a reliable anchor for both the birding community and the outdoor economy of southern West Virginia.
About the Author
