Birds.com: Online Birds Guide with Facts, Articles, Videos, and Photos » Oregon

27th John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival

Editor — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:43:37 +0000

Bird-lovers are invited to spend a weekend witnessing the magnificent spring migration at the 27th annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival in the Harney Basin of Oregon. The festival is set to take place on 4, 5 and 6 April 2008, with the base of activity being in the city of Burns, Harney County.

Visitors can expect to see thousands of migratory birds – from waterfowl to shorebirds, wading birds to songbirds and raptors to cranes – as they rest and feed in the expanse of Oregon’s high desert. The festival schedule is packed with birding activities as well as cultural and historical information, which are sure to educate and entertain the entire family – beginners and experienced birders alike.

One of the highlights of the John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival will be the art show and sale which will run the duration of the festival in the Burns High School Gymnasium. Visitors will have plenty of opportunity to view and purchase original wildlife paintings, sculptures, photographs and much more. Paintings by renowned wildlife artist Steele Roberts-Ross will be a special feature of the art show and sale.

The kickoff celebration on Friday night will include the presentation “Milestones in Raptor Conservation” by Trish Nixon, a raptor specialist from the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. Her talk will focus on raptors that have been rescued from the brink of extinction as well as those which are still endangered and what can be done to help them. Trish will also introduce the audience to one of her favorite raptors and will be available to answer questions related to birds of prey.

Audiences at the Saturday night banquet will hear (from a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator) how Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established 100 years ago. They will learn how migratory birds in the Harney Basin were in dire straits at the turn of the 20th century, a situation which was turned around through the dedication of a few individuals – to the benefit of following generations right through to current times.

The John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival program has a host of birding tours and activities to choose from. These include Birds of Sagebrush Communities, Birding British Style, Birding the Neighborhood, Mysteries of Juniper Woodlands, Owl Prowl, Brunch with the Birds, and Sage Grouse Early Bird Tour. Workshops include The Art and Science of Bird Photography, Building Bird Houses, Dark Sky Discovery and BLM Burns Wild Horse Corrals.

Bird watching enthusiasts will not want to miss the opportunity of spending a weekend engaged in their favorite activity. So start planning now to enjoy the John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival to the full.

Winter Wings Festival, Oregon

Editor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:45:02 +0000

The 2008 Winter Wings Festival, sponsored by the Klamath Basin Audubon Society and the Klamath Wingwatchers, is set to take place from 15 to 17 February 2008 at Klamath Falls, Oregon. The purpose of the Winter Wings Festival is to increase awareness of wildlife resources in the community with the focus on birds and bird-watching.

More than 350 species of birds are found in the Klamath Basin of Northern California and South Central Oregon. This area is renowned for the diversity and number of waterfowl on the lakes and rivers, as well as in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. The Klamath Basin is also home to one of the largest groups of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states of the U.S.A.

The Winter Wings Festival, held on Presidents’ Day weekend, takes place at a time when waterfowl and eagles are wintering in the Klamath Basin. This gives visitors the opportunity to observe these magnificent birds on guided tours and learn more about them at the workshops that form part of the program. Other features of the Winter Wings Festival program include a keynote speaker, field trips, mini-sessions and special events. There will be many family-oriented activities and live bird displays. Expert tour leaders will take photography enthusiasts to areas where they will be best able to capture the abundant bird-life on film.

Raptor specialist, Trish Nixon, will be the keynote speaker at the Winter Wings Festival. Trish has been working at the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey for the past ten years, where she has been responsible for the feeding, daily care and training of the seventeen hawks, eagles, falcons and owls that are used in the center’s education program. She has dedicated over 20 years of her life to caring for birds and has a passion for sharing her knowledge on the Peregrine Fund’s conservation projects.

The family activities include a 45-minute slideshow aimed at visitors who are new to the area, or new to the joys of bird-watching. Visitors can also have an up-close and personal encounter with the Great Horned Owl and American Kestrel that have been rescued and rehabilitated by the Badger Run Wildlife Rehabilitation facility. The vendor area will be displaying and selling artwork and crafts related to the beauty of nature. Charlie and Deana Thurston will be displaying the talents of their tame hand-raised ducks. There will also be a paper-making activity station, a migration obstacle course and many other hands-on activities.

Nature-lovers are invited to enjoy the multitude of activities organized for the Winter Wings Festival weekend. Visitors are sure to have loads of fun while being educated about the magnificent birds of the Klamath Basin.