DESCRIPTION: Whether you're a beginner or experienced birder, or somewhere in between, the Festival of Birds has something for you! Please join us for our 12th Annual Festival as we visit several restored habitats in search of shorebirds, as well as birds of the forest and prairie. This year we offer three new fieldtrip sites! Our special guest is photographer and author of 'The Shorebird Guide,' Richard Crossley! Be among the first to learn about the newest birding opportunity: the proposed International Pine to Prairie Birding Trail that will extend into Manitoba. And, look for several sessions on bird identification, migration, monitoring and documenting. The Detroit Lakes area is in the heart of a transition zone in northwestern Minnesota. In a small geographic area birders can find a tremendous variety of birds in habitat where tall grass prairie meets northern hardwood and conifer forests. Last year 190 species were recorded. Mid-May birding is spectacular!
REGISTER EARLY: Register by April 24 to be included in a drawing for a pair of 10 x 42 Audubon Equinox binoculars. Registration closes at Noon (central time) on May 8, 2009. Cancellations must be made by 4:00 p.m. on May 8, with the registration event fee of $5.00 (one day) or $10.00 (multiple days) non-refundable. With another convention in Detroit Lakes the same weekend, we suggest booking your room early.
EVENT LOCATION: Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes is the host facility for registration, coach bus pick up and drop off for fieldtrips, workshops, silent auction, birders' bazaar and Saturday night social. To reach MSCTC from Highway 10, turn north on Washington Avenue for six blocks, then east on Highway 34. Go to the stoplights, MSCTC is one block beyond the stoplights. See map
FIELD TRIP NOTES: Fieldtrips will be by coach buses with onboard restrooms, and guided by fieldtrip leaders and a naturalist. Since the birding experience begins as the coach bus departs, we are not able to accommodate boarding at other locations. Spring temperatures may vary from 70's to 30's, so prepare by layering your clothing and bringing hats, gloves and waterproof footwear and outerwear. Long sleeves, socks that may be pulled over pants and insect repellant are also suggested. No field trips will be cancelled unless weather is severe. No refunds will be issued for cancelled fieldtrips. Please read the fieldtrip descriptions to find those most suitable for your mobility and feel free to notify your fieldtrip leader if you have limited mobility or a health condition that restricts the distance you are able to walk.
Find complete information by downloading the Festival Program on this site.
REGISTRATION
One person per registration please.
All fields required.
Full Festival - $10.00 per person One day - $5.00 per person
One workshop selection – you are not able to attend two events with conflicting times Workshop: Beginning Birding, 2:30-5:00 pm; Dinner & Program, $20.00 Workshop: Shorebirds Revealed with Doug Buri, 2:30-5:00 pm; Dinner & Program, $30 Workshop, GPS in the Field, 2:30-5:00 pm; Dinner & Program, $25.00
Program & Dinner Only, at Maplelag: Critical Breeding Bird Monitoring in MN, 5:45-7:30 pm, $20.00
One field trip selection – you are not able to attend two events with conflicting times Field trip: Pepperton Township with Crossley, 5:15 am-3:00 pm, $40.00 Field trip: Buffalo River & Bluestem Prairie, 5:30 am-3:00 pm, $35.00 Field trip: Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, 5:45 am-3:00 pm, $35.00
Program & Dinner at The Lodge: Saving the Shorebird Migration Stopovers, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, $22.00
One field trip selection – you are not able to attend two events with conflicting times Field trip: Prairie Wetlands & Lake Alice, 5:15 am-11:30 am, $30.00 Field trip: Waubun Wetlands & Helliksen Prairie, 5:30 am-11:30 am, $30.00 Field trip: Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 5:30 am-11:30 am, $30.00
Program & Lunch in Canada: 11:30 am-1:00 pm, $12.00
Free Workshop: Document Your Sightings, 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Free Workshop: Monarch Butterfly Migrations, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Richard Crossley Keynote & Dinner: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, $27.00
One field trip selection – you are not able to attend two events with conflicting times Field trip: Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, 5:15 am-3:00 pm, $37.00 - SOLD OUT Field trip: Ulen/Felton Prairies, 5:30 am-3:00 pm, $37.00
For all meals/sack lunches