The Copper River Delta, which extends for 2,800 km2 is considered the largest contiguous wetlands - partly tidal flats - along the Pacific coast of North America. It is used annually by 16 million shorebirds, including the world's entire population of western sandpipers. It has a similar function as the most important spring staging area of Arctic shorebirds along the East Pacific flywaya as the European Wadden Sea has on the East-Atlantic flyway. Each year in May the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival is held in Cordova, Alaska. The Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival provides the ideal opportunity for bird watchers to be part of this epic migration. Many activities, workshops and community events are offered throughout the festival.