THE FESTIVAL AGENDA
The Festival of the Birds is full of fun,
educational activities. When the festival
begins on Friday, May 10, participants can
register between noon and 7 p.m. in the
Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC)
lobby. A casual reception follows, giving
participants a chance to meet and enjoy
entertainment including live music by Joe
Frisina Jazz.
On Saturday, May 11, activities begin
with coffee and breakfast at the Rotary
Pavilion on Presque Isle, followed by a
variety of workshops (subject to change),
such as “Birding for Beginners,” “Waterfowl
on Presque Isle,” “Shorebird ID,” “Spring
Migration and Bird ID” and “Hi-Tech for
Birding.” Saturday lunch is on your own,
with many participants choosing the café
at TREC so they can share stories of the
morning’s activities.
Saturday rounds out with a Bird
Tally Dinner and Yve Morrell’s keynote
presentation. Morrell has the distinction
of completing an American Birding
Association “Big Year” in 2017, sighting
817 species and placing her third in all-
time Big Year efforts. She will speak on the
role and significance of adding Alaska and
Hawaii to Big Year efforts, which previously
were limited to the continental U.S. and
Canada. She’ll also explain her resolution
to include Hawaii in her 2017 Big Year,
primarily to raise awareness of the plight of
endangered birds.
The Festival of the Birds gift bag includes
a bird print by Morrell.
Activities continue on Sunday, May 12,
and end with a casual pizza party lunch and
final bird tally.
FIELD TRIPS BY FOOT, BOAT
OR KAYAK
As in previous years, birders attending
the Festival of the Birds can register and
attend field trips throughout Presque Isle’s
trails, all of which are accessible, or you can
birdwatch off the shores of Presque Isle on
a pontoon boat. Registration for each is
limited, says Ferrick, “to keep them cozy.”
This year, the event will also give birders
an opportunity to birdwatch on kayak trips.
There are two scheduled, one on Saturday
and one on Sunday, and registration is
limited. You must register for a kayak trip
when you register for the festival. You also
have the option to bring your own kayak
or rent one from the park concessionaire at
Presque Isle.
Special event opportunities during the
Festival of the Birds include participating
in a hawk watch with local author Jerry
McWilliams, visiting the Presque Isle bird
banding station, participating in the “Birds
of the Night” field trip on Friday evening,
and visiting Gull Point, a sanctuary for
migrating shorebirds and terns.
EXCITING SIGHTINGS
Although you can never predict exactly
what you’ll see during the Festival of
the Birds, Ferrick says there have been
some unique sightings in years past, such
as a black tern, clay-colored sparrows,
whimbrels, and warbler species that winter
in South and Central America.
“There are a lot more eyes looking during
the festival and people pointing things out,”
she explains.
Presque Isle also offers unique
opportunities to see certain species.
For example, piping plovers returned
to Gull Point after invasive vegetation
was removed, and common terns—a
threatened species in Pennsylvania—nest
on Presque Isle, one of the only places in
the state where they do so. Osprey have
been practicing building nests on Presque
Isle and great horned owls have fledged two
young for the last two years.
Ferrick says photographers are welcome
to participate to capture images of the
migrating birds.
DRESS AND GEAR
Just about as unpredictable as the species
you may spot during the Festival of the
Birds is the weather in the Erie area in May.
Participants need to plan for the possibility
of anything from summer heat to snow
flurries. Event organizers recommend you
dress for the weather and wear comfortable
shoes or boots. Ferrick suggests waterproof
boots, since the trails on Presque Isle are
usually still muddy in May. Also remember
to take precautions such as tucking your
pants inside your socks to prevent tick
bites.
You are welcome to bring cameras and
gear, but if you don’t own binoculars or
field guides, the PI Audubon Society guides
may be able to share with you.
REGISTER EARLY
With registration limited to 150
participants and interest from birders all
over North America, you are encouraged to
register early.
n Full weekend registration is $130 for
adults, $90 with student ID and $30 for
children 12 and younger.
n Friday and Saturday-only registration is
$110 for adults, $80 with student ID, and
$25 for children 12 and younger.
You can register online or download
a registration form to submit by mail.
Visit presqueisleaudubon.org/festival-
registration.html for details.
You can also like the Presque Isle
Audubon Society’s Facebook page to get
updates on the Festival of the Birds as well
as the society’s monthly programs and field
trips planned from September through
May, which are free and open to the public.
For additional information, contact
[email protected]. n
MILLCREEK
❘
SPRING 2019
41