2007 BirdFest heads to 5 Rivers
Since 2004, the four-day festival has drawn visitors from 16 different states and Canada, as well as people from the Gulf Coast who have taken part in one or more of the festival’s guided birding tours and evening events.
“We know from past experience that some of our tours are very popular, so we will be repeating some trips again this year, such as to the Hummer/Bird Study Group banding station at Fort Morgan, and to Dauphin Island, among others,” said Jim Griggs, director of Alabama State Lands, one of the event sponsors.
“We are busy finalizing the full schedule, but I guarantee that there will be lots of great trips and good opportunities to see interesting local and migratory birds,” added John Borom, president of Mobile Bay Audubon Society, another sponsor. “We will have several new trips, including new boat trips, which are always a big attraction.”
This year, all trips for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest will be staged from 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, located on the Causeway, about halfway between Mobile and the Eastern Shore.
“Our Thursday night reception will be held there as well,” said BirdFest coordinator Fran Morley. “Not only will guests get to see the wonderful birding photos of Dave Cagnolatti, our presenter that night, but they’ll also get to enjoy the beautiful views of the Delta from the boardwalks and porches at 5 Rivers.”
As before, the Friday night event, with BBQ, seafood dinner and silent auction, will take place at the James P. Nix Center in Fairhope. Hill will be the Friday speaker. He has been heading up the team searching for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the swamps of northwest Florida.
“We know that Dr. Hill and his team have heard the birds’ distinctive calls and seen evidence of nests and feeding, and we hope they will have some conclusive proof by October, but in any event, he will have fascinating stories to tell about the search,” Morley said. “Who would have guessed that this elusive bird could be living so close to us here on the Gulf Coast?”
As in years’ past, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest includes a free, daylong Bird and Conservation Expo with hands-on activities, exhibits, demonstrations, giveaways, vendors, artists, films, and lectures.
“The Expo is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about birding and also about our great Alabama outdoors,” Borom said.
The Expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 on the grounds of Faulkner State Community College in downtown Fairhope. The event is free and open to all ages.
The full schedule of trips and other events will be available by late July.
“If you’ve participated before, watch your mail for a brochure,” said Borom, “or visit our Web site at www.alabamacoastalbirdfest for full schedule and registration information.”
