5 Audubon Birding Festivals to Hit Up This Winter
Start off 2016 with a rustic winter carnival, a weekend-long fete on the coast, and more.
St. George Winter Bird Festival
St. George, Utah; January 28-30
Hit the snowy slopes of Utah with Red Cliffs Audubon for this three-day extravaganza. The first evening covers wintering birds and an owl prowl, while the weekend holds a trip to Zion National Park and a scavenger hunt for Vermilion Flycatchers. And there's plenty of events for kids, including junior birding programs, dinosaur talks, and a workshop on how to build birdhouses.
More info: sgcity.org
Winter Carnival
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; January 25
Cheers to an afternoon packed with birdy fun! Tour the beautiful grounds of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center by horse sleigh, snowshoe, or simply on foot, during a guided hike. There will be ice skating, live owl demonstrations, and even a meet-and-greet with sled dogs. There's no way to resist this one—especially if you're already in the area.
More info: schlitzaudubon.org
Teatown’s Hudson River EagleFest
Croton Point Park, New York; February 6
Join thousands of revelers in the scenic Hudson Valley for the most patriotic bird-themed celebration ever. Twenty-five local organizations, including Saw Mill River Audubon, Audubon Greenwich, and the Bedford Audubon Society, are banding together to offer people the chance to get up close with our national bird. Watch wild and captive Bald Eagles, and then try some savory local cuisine.
More info: teatown.org
Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival & Birdapalooza
Magnolia Park, Florida; February 6
Scout out some spectacular raptors, fowl, and marshbirds with the Orange Audubon Society at Lake Apopka, which is renowned for its biodiversity and boasts at least 360 species of avians. Visitors during the free birding tours and photography hikes could include Mottled Ducks, Swallow-tailed Kites, and Green Herons. Food trucks and live entertainment are also on hand.
More info: birdapalooza.com
Winter Wings Festival
Klamath, Oregon; February 11-14
When it comes to West Coast birding, the Klamath Basin is near legendary. Migrating waterfowl are the centerpiece of the event, but raptors get some love, too, with a falconry display and casual hawk watch. This festival also puts a big emphasis on wildlife photography, and the keynote speakers include artist Stephen Johnson and South African TV personality James Currie.
More info: winterwingsfest.org
San Diego Bird Festival
San Diego, California; March 3-6
"Sea, sage, and sand" is the motto for this 20-year-old festival. Explore various landscapes with the help of well-seasoned guides—ranging from Hawk Alley, the Cuyamaca Mountains, and even the U.S.-Mexico border. The adventures start at sunrise, with a parrot-watching brunch, and continue till dusk with trips to the San Diego Zoo and natural history museum. Register now with the San Diego Audubon Society.
More info: sandiegoaudubon.org
Editors note: The story has been updated to include Saw Mill River Audubon as one of the hosts for the EagleFest.