The Great Dismal Swamp typically is home to thousands of birds, and this weekend it also will be home to hundreds of birders looking to catch a glimpse of those birds.

Every year, between 400 and 900 birders from throughout the country, depending on the weather, travel to the festival hoping to catch a glimpse of the winged beauties that can’t be seen in any old backyard.

It’s also a great opportunity for local folks to learn about the swamp and interact with refuge employees, Refuge Manager Chris Lowie said.

“It’s a reason to experience the refuge in a very casual and relaxed atmosphere, but with personal attention,” Lowie said. “It has been successful year after year, but every year is a little different. We add different features.”

This year will feature late-afternoon bird walks, for those with jobs or those who just aren’t early birds.

“That’s a new feature we did this year,” Lowie said. “It’s just a great time.”

Lowie said the late-arriving spring this year will provide exceptional birding, because there will be less foliage blocking view of the birds.

“All conditions were really prime this year,” Lowie said.

All of the tours that require reservations already are full. However, a number of events are open, especially the family events and exhibits on Saturday as well as visits to the bird-banding station.

Family events at the refuge headquarters, 3100 Desert Road, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Concessions will be for sale beginning at 11, and a souvenir tent will be open until 2. An art exhibit will also be open that day until 4 p.m.

More than 200 species of birds have been identified on the refuge; 96 of those species have been reported nesting on or near the refuge. Two species, Swainson’s Warbler and Wayne’s Warbler, are more common in the Great Dismal Swamp than in other coastal locations.

Other birds of interest include the wood duck, barred owl, pileated woodpecker and prothonotary warbler. Visitors to the swamp, though they’re coming primarily for the birds this weekend, also will likely spot plenty of mammals and insects.

The full festival schedule is below. For more information on the festival, call the refuge office at 986-3705.

Thursday

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Jericho Ditch

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Washington Ditch

7-10:30 a.m. — Bird Banding Station, Jericho Ditch

10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Bus Tour to Lake Drummond, Headquarters

3:45-5 p.m. — Late Day Bird Walk, Headquarters

Friday

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Jericho Ditch

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Washington Ditch

7-10:30 a.m. — Bird Banding Station, Jericho Ditch

8:30-10:30 a.m. — Nature Photography Workshop and Guided Walk, Headquarters

9-11:30 a.m. — Motorized Boat Tour on Lake Drummond, Headquarters

9 a.m. to noon — Canoe Birding, Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Bus Tour to Lake Drummond, Headquarters

1-3:30 p.m. — Motorized Boat Tour on Lake Drummond, Headquarters

3:45-5 p.m. — Late Day Bird Walk, Headquarters

7:30-9 p.m. — Owl Prowl, Jericho Ditch

Saturday

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Jericho Ditch

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Washington Ditch

7-9:30 a.m. — Guided bird walk for adults, Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

7-10:30 a.m. — Bird Banding Station, Jericho Ditch

9-11:30 a.m. — Motorized Boat Tour on Lake Drummond, Headquarters

9 a.m. to noon — Canoe Birding, Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Nature exhibits and family activities, Headquarters

10 a.m. to noon — Nature Photography Workshop and Guided Walk, Headquarters

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Bus Tour to Lake Drummond, Headquarters

1-3:30 p.m. — Motorized Boat Tour on Lake Drummond, Headquarters

1:30-3:30 p.m. — Bus Tours to Lake Drummond, Headquarters

2:15-3:30 p.m. — Get N2 Birds: Birding Basics Workshop, Headquarters

3:45-5 p.m. — Late Day Bird Walk, Headquarters