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CLASSES & PROGRAMS, etc.
RMNA 2010 BIRD SEMINARS
The Rocky Mountain Nature Association is offering a series of bird seminars for 2010. There will also be a special 12 day seminar exploring birds both in the Rocky Mountain National Park and in the Wood Buffalo Forest of Canada. Jeff Maugans will be the instructor. To see the course calendar, visit their website.
Birding for Beginners – 202
Thursday Classes: (meet at Bear Creek Nature Center)
August 19, September 2 & 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday Field Trips: (at various locations)
August 21, Sept.. 4 & 18, 8:00 a.m. - Noon
This series of classes and field trips with Ken Pals goes beyond the basics of birding and focuses on species that are more difficult to identify including hawks, shorebirds, flycatchers and warblers. ($50.00/nature center member, $60.00/nonmember, Reservations required, call Bear Creek Nature Center at 520-6387)
Friday, September 24, 7 – 8:30pm
Ghost Bird wades into a murky swamp of belief and obsession in this cautionary tale about birders,ornithologists and the citizens of Brinkley, Arkansas who are certain they keep seeing a giant woodpecker
that’s been extinct for over half a century. Come view the movie, and join the discussion afterward. More information...
FESTIVALS
October
October 14 – 17, Mobile, Alabama
John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest
Organizers are busy finalizing trip and event plans – and keeping an eye on the ongoing oil situation in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Of course we are all very concerned about the immediate and long-lasting effects of the oil disaster in the Gulf,” said John Borom, BirdFest chairman and president of Mobile Bay Audubon Society. “The Audubon Society has been deluged with phone calls from concerned people all over the country who want to help, and we truly appreciate everyone’s concern. The fact is, things don’t look good for our estuarine marshes, beaches, marine life, and shore bird populations along the northern Gulf Coast because this disaster happened during breeding season for many species of fishes, invertebrates, shorebirds and sea birds.
“However, we remain hopeful that the oil will not have a significant effect on migratory birds in the fall, and we are going ahead with our plans for BirdFest with that hope. If conditions warrant changes in our schedule or plans, we will deal with that, and will post updates on our website. Already, we have scheduled a keynote speaker for BirdFest who will address the issue. Dr. John Dindo, from Dauphin Island Sea Lab, will speak at our Friday night BirdFest dinner and will have much to say on how the oil impacts nesting habitat in our area. We expect to have presentations from other experts at our free Bird & Conservation Expo in Fairhope on Saturday, Oct. 16.”
Borom noted that it is more important than ever to protect coastal habitat for birds and all wildlife. “One good thing that may come out of this oil spill is increased awareness about the vital role that estuaries, beaches, and marshes play in our entire eco-system.”
This year’s BirdFest will include several new trips in local inland waterways and will repeat many popular land and boat trips from previous years. The full schedule will be released by mid-July and registration will open at that time.
Since 2004, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest has attracted participants from 18 states and Canada and has donated more than $50,000 toward habitat protection and preservation in Baldwin and Mobile counties. For more information on BirdFest, including oil-spill updates as needed, visit www.AlabamaCoastalBirdFest.com. For general information on how the oil spill could affect those planning to travel to Alabama for BirdFest, visit www.eschamber.com, http://www.mobilebaytravelupdates.com, and www.gulfshores.com.