 The
annual International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), held this
year on May 10, celebrates the animal kingdom’s frequent
fliers and the marvelous journey birds undertake between their
summer and winter homes. What better place to see some of
the nearly 700 species of migratory birds than the hundreds
of national wildlife refuges established solely to safeguard
habitat for them?
The theme for IMBD this year is “Tundra to Tropics:
Connecting Birds, Habitats and People.” Events held at
national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries and wetland management
districts will celebrate not only the wondrous migration of
birds, but also the habitat on which they depend, and the
people and organizations who are so critically important to
the conservation of birds and their habitats along the way.
Here is just a sampling of events taking place across the
country on May 10:
DeSoto
National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa
Live raptors! The refuges asks visitor to learn about our
“feathered ambassadors” and get close-up views.
Raptor Recovery of Nebraska, Inc. will present a demonstration
of live raptors. The day will also feature field trips and
activities for all ages.
Trustom
Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island
A family-focused event, the day includes bird walks, crafts,
demonstrations and exhibits on bird migration and the conservation
mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
J.N.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the Naples Zoo,
Florida
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is
sponsoring a host of activities during the day, including
binocular loans, field trips, as well as free posters and
prizes at the Naples Zoo.
Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia
This event will include bird walks, family-friendly activities,
demonstrations and talks, a wildlife art show and tours of
the historic Chincoteague Lighthouse.
National
Bison Range, Montana
Bison on Bird Day? The National Bison Range is hosting a celebration
of migratory birds along with festivities to mark the refuge’s
100th birthday. IMBD will include a variety of field trips,
interpretive presentations and other activities, including
live birds and trivia contests. The main event will be the
opening of Red Sleep Mountain Drive for the summer season.
Sherburne
National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota
Celebrate the return of millions of migratory birds to their
breeding areas with an early morning Songbird Search and Birds
of the Wetlands guided programs. Friends of Sherburne will
hold their annual plant sale.
Bosque
del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Beginning at 8 am, naturalists will lead a bird walk around
the visitor center, including the arboretum, looking for such
migratory birds as warblers, orioles and kingbirds. From 2—4
p.m., a bus tour will take visitors to see migrating waterfowl
and shorebirds. The bus tour is limited to 24 people to ensure
that everyone gets a seat.
Stone
Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, California
Among the newest of the nation’s 548 national wildlife refuges,
Stone Lakes Refuge and its partners are offering a fun-filled
festival featuring live wild animal presentations, guided
and self-guided tours of wetlands and heron rookeries, and
more than 30 conservation exhibitors with hands-on activities.
These include a puppet show, storytelling, live music, a petting
farm (hosted by Future Farmers of America), falconry demonstrations,
appearances by Ollie Otter and Blue Goose mascots, and an
outdoor BBQ (hosted by Future Farmers of America and Rotary
Club). This celebration offers a great opportunity to see
wildlife areas usually closed to the public.
Some national wildlife refuges are celebrating International
Migratory Bird Day on dates other than May 10. Here is a sampling
of festivals throughout May.
May 3: Windom
Wetland Management District, Minnesota
The Windom Wetland Management District, part of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, manages 65 separate Waterfowl Production
Areas. To celebrate IMBD, the District is hosting Wings Over
the Prairie, starting with guided bird walks at 6:30 am. Other
activities include wood duck box construction, explorations
of wetland critters, a bingo nature hike, wildlife survival
game and Discovery Quest with the Prairie Ecology Bus Center.
See a premier display of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp exhibit
of Minnesota, and release of North America’s largest waterfowl-the
trumpeter swan. Friends of Windom Wetlands will host a bison
burger lunch.
May 11-13: Great
Dismal Swamp Birding Festival, Virginia
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the
second annual Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival over Mother’s
Day weekend. This family-friendly event includes guided birds
walks, narrated bur tours, owl prowls, bird banding, bluebird
house building and beginner bird walks for kids.
May 17: Bombay
Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware
The day will be filled with information, hands-on activities,
exhibits, wildlife photography and art, boat rides and more.
May 24: Necedah
National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin
The day begins with a program on basic birding skills, followed
by a guided birding trip on the refuge.
To learn more about IMBD, to see this year’s artwork
and to learn about other events being held around the country,
visit birdday.org.
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