HORICON, Wis. - Bird enthusiasts can experience the sights, sounds and natural beauty of peak spring migration May 9-13 at the 22 nd annual Bird Festival, hosted by the Horicon Marsh Bird Club at Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center.
From the backyard birder to the world traveler, the Horicon Bird Festival has something for everyone packed into four days of adventure by foot, boat, bus and bicycle throughout one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. The Horicon Marsh Bird Festival is the oldest bird festival in Wisconsin.
This Black-throated Green Warbler was caught in a mist net during a previous Horicon Marsh Bird Festival bird banding demonstration. Measurements were taken and a small band was placed on the leg in hopes that it will be caught again in future years to learn more about the biology of this species. Photo credit: DNR
Highlights of this year's Bird Festival include a keynote speech from Karla Bloem, director of the International Owl Center in Houston, Minn., and a new "Who Says Hoo?" program, featuring live owls. Another new event, "Mom and Me, Dissecting Together," offers a truly unique way to celebrate Mother's Day discovering what local owls are eating through hands-on pellet dissection.
Many tours require advanced registration and fees, and spaces fill up fast. To plan your birding adventure, visit www.horiconmarshbirdclub.com (exit DNR) and click on the Bird Festival link for a complete list of events, descriptions and registration information. For additional registration information, contact Liz Herzmann, DNR wildlife conservation educator, at 920-387-7893.
The festival begins with the Birding Adventure Boat Tour. Other popular favorites include the Hot Spot Birding Bus Tour, Beginning Bird Hike, Bird Banding Demonstration, and more than 20 other tours and activities planned by the Horicon Marsh Bird Club.
The Birding by Bicycle guided tour invites birders to peddle their way through the area. A Birdy Scavenger Hunt offers a unique way to explore the Marshes scenic views, sounds and enjoyment.
For the early morning birder, First Light Birding offers a glimpse of birds at sunrise. At sunset, a Night Sounds Bus Tour is offered. Throughout the festival, the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Marsh Haven Nature Center and Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center will be buzzing with interactive displays, programs and opportunities for viewing birds from observation areas.
Partners for this event include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marsh Haven Nature Center, Horicon Marsh Boat Tours, Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and Friends of Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center.
The Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center is located between Horicon, Wis., and Mayville, Wis., on Hwy. 28. For a detailed list of all Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center special events, please visit the Friends of Horicon Marsh website at www.horiconmarsh.org (exit DNR). For more information regarding Horicon Marsh education programs, contact Liz Herzmann, DNR educator, at 920-387-7893.