Dunlin are seabirds which nest in the Arctic but spend winters farther south along bays, estuaries and coastlines. Multiple species of birds will come under the microscope at the annual Wings Over Willapa festival on the Long Beach Peninsula Sept. 22-24.

Organizers of the Wings Over Willapa festival cannot guarantee those attending will see a flock of dunlin as spectacular as those caught in this photo by Pat Welle.

But they are promising four days of activities that will be enjoyable for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Registration is under way. The annual fall festival kicks off with a social gathering at the Salt Hotel in Ilwaco 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Main activities, including workshops and activities designed for children, run each day Sept. 23, 24 and 25.

“Space is limited on some events and I encourage people to sign up soon,” said Nancy Marvin, event coordinator.

Birdwatching, shorebird identification, classes in tracking, and an expedition to Long Island are among activities to be held at locations on the Long Beach Peninsula, including the new headquarters of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge at 7112 67th Place in Long Beach. The Bay Avenue Gallery in Ocean Park and Karen Brownlee’s studio on Sandridge Road will host pottery demonstrations, including glazing and feather raku.

The keynote speaker at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 will be Noah Strycker, an expert birdwatcher with a national reputation.

A detailed four-day schedule and registration is available online at friendsofwillaparefuge.org/Wings-Over-Willapa. For more information, email wingsoverwillapa@gmail.com