IN Millcreek Spring 2019 | Page 43

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