Spring Birding Festival

May 12th – May 15th
Photo by Scott Farquharson
Scott Farquharson
Photo by Scott Farquharson
Scott Farquharson
Photo by Scott Farquharson
Scott Farquharson

BIRDING. IT’S FOR EVERYONE!

The Spring Birding Festival is just around the corner, and it promises to be an unforgettable four-day event that all nature enthusiasts will enjoy. From May 12 – 15, this festival offers a variety of activities that will delight both seasoned birders and those who are new to the hobby.

Throughout the Festival, expert guides will lead birding walks, providing the perfect opportunity to spot some of the most beautiful and possibly rare birds in the area. You can also witness banding demonstrations and learn about bird identification techniques – we’ll provide tools and advice!  Additionally, there will be free expert Tent Talks throughout the day, giving you the opportunity to hear from leading bird experts and researchers.

For families, there is a kid’s corner where children can participate in bird-themed activities and crafts. And if you are looking for a special way to celebrate Mother’s Day, don’t miss the Mother’s Day ‘Bird and Brunch-in-a-Box’ event where you can enjoy lovely light brunch while taking in the beauty of the birds around you.

Attending the Spring Birding Festival is an opportunity to connect with nature, learn new skills, and have fun! So, register now and get ready for a memorable experience. Whether you are an experienced birder or just starting, this festival is perfect for all who love birds and nature.

Let us know if you have any mobility or other health issues and we will do our best to accommodate. In addition, a few of the walks are designated for thosewishing an easier trail, or for children.

Kaleidoscope Catering will be providing a food truck from 8 am to 2 pm, so plan to have lunch or a delicious snack while you are there.

Rain or shine.

PROGRAM

Guided Walks and Demonstration:

 

‘Cheat sheets’ on warblers and most common birds will be available to participants

Limited loaner binoculars are available

All walks are one hour unless otherwise noted

Walks are limited to 15 people unless otherwise specified.

Dress for seasonal weather, it’s always cooler at The Point

Rain or Shine (no bird banding in the rain, though)

  • 9 am Birding by Ear: Traverse Woods Trail $30
  • 11 am Ring Road $10
    • Suitable for those with limited mobility and families
    • Limited to 20 people
  • 7 am Lighthouse Trail (2 Hours) $30
  • 9 am Traverse Woods Trail, $30
  • 11 am Ring Road Trail $10
    • This Trail is suitable to those with limited mobility
  • 7 am Travers Woods Trail$30
  • 8 am Lighthouse Trail Bird Photography Walk with Paul Jones *2 hours* Limited to 10 people $40
  • 9 am Lighthouse Trail *2 hours* : $30
  • 9:15am Traverse Woods Trail and eBird demonstration with Nick Bartok: 1.5 hours
    • Limited to 20 participants $30
    • Ebird presentation at the Tent Talks site at 9:15, walk begins at 10:00 am
  • 11 am Ring Road: $30
    • This trail is suitable for those with limited mobility $10
  • MOTHER’S DAY ‘BIRD AND BRUNCH’ SPECIAL PROGRAM: Morning meditation (optional), Guided birding walk (a trail experience for those with limited mobility is available), bird banding demonstration, feathery corsage, boxed brunch from Kaleidoscope Catering, family photo op. $45 adults $30 children.
    • Limited to 10 per walk
  • 8 am Traverse Woods Trail $30
  • 8:30 am RESERVED FOR MOTHER’S DAY PROGRAM Ring Road
    • This trail is suitable for those with limited mobility
  • 9:00 am Lighthouse Trail *2 hours* $30
  • 9.30am Lighthouse Trail Bird Photography Walk with Paul Jones.*2 hours* Limited to 10 people $40.00
  • 10:00 am RESERVED FOR MOTHER’S DAY PROGRAM Traverse Woods Trail
  • 11:00 am Ring Road – $10
    • This trail is suitable for those with limited mobility
  • 12:00 pm Ring Road $10
    • Kid’s Walk
    • Limited to 20 people

Shanna Challenger, PEPtBO’s visiting 2022 Owl Intern and Coordinator of the Offshore Islands Conservation Program with Birds Caribbean will speak from her location in Antigua about local birds and bird conservation issues in the Caribbean.

45 minutes plus questions $10

  • 7 am Lighthouse Trail (2 Hours) $30
  • 9 am Traverse Woods Trail, $30
  • 11 am Ring Road Trail $10
    • This Trail is suitable to those with limited mobility
  • 7 am Lighthouse Trail *2 hours* $30
  • 9 am Traverse Woods Trail $30
  • 7 am Lighthouse Trail *2 hours* $30
  • 11 am Ring Road $10
    • Suitable for those with limited mobility and families
    • Limited to 20 people

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL PROGRAM

Includes optional morning meditation,1-hour guided walk, banding demonstration, delicious boxed brunch from Kaleidoscope Catering. Limited to 10 people per walk. $45 adults $30 kids.

For an additional $25 A bander will whisper a mother’s name to a bird as it is released back to the wild.

FREE EVENTS (Donations always welcome) No ticket required

Sunrise Meditation: 7:00 am at the dock

Banding Demonstrations: Every hour on the hour 9 am to noon

Kid’s Program: fun events, art activities, bird “tattoos”, Young Ornithology Club, and more!

Tent Talks: Every hour on the half hour Just a sample!

Friday, May 12th

10:30 AM FESTIVAL OPENING
11:30 AM General overview of purpose of NWA
12:30 PM Point Travers Commercial fishery (SSJI)
1:30 PM Bobolink Study
2:30 PM Habitat and monitoring projects at PEPNWA
3:30 PM Soundman film

Saturday, May 13th

9:15 AM eBird for Newbies
10:30 AM General overview of purpose of NWA
11:30 AM Habitat and monitoring projects at PEPNWA
12:30 PM A New Birder’s Journey – Tips for New Birders and Birders with Mobility Issues
1:30 PM History of PEPtBO
2:00 PM How our research station can have an impact
2:30 PM Birding Ethics
3:30 PM General overview of purpose of NWA

Sunday, May 14th

9:30 AM Habitat and monitoring projects at PEPNWA
10:30 AM The forest for the birds with remote sensing
11:30 AM A New Birder’s Journey – Tips for New Birders and Birders with Mobility Issues
12:30 PM Nature and birds and indigenous connection
1:30 PM General overview of purpose of NWA
2:00 PM Q&A with a bird bander
2:30 PM Friends of South Shore: Community centred work towards ecological connectivity
3:30 PM Habitat and monitoring projects at PEPNWA

Monday, May 15th

9:30 AM General overview of purpose of NWA
10:30 AM Soundman film
11:30 AM Habitat and monitoring projects at PEPNWA
12:30 PM Naturalizing your lawn for the birds
1:30 PM Bees on the point
2:30 PM Why we band birds
3:30 PM General overview of purpose of NWA

FOOD AND DRINK

Kaleidoscope Catering Food Truck will be there all day with delicious lunch items, drinks and snacks for purchase.

Water will be available at the station: Bring your water bottle (or buy one of ours!)

MERCHANDISE

Back by popular demand: T-shirts, water bottles, toques, patches… and of course, our special Bird Lover’s Blend coffee!