 Dates for the 7th Annual Birding Festival
will be June 8-9, 2012. The new schedule will be posted soon.
Click here to view a printable 2011 Birding Festival Schedule
2011 Schedule
Birders with a variety of experience attend the festival. To better meet your expectations, we are asking that you pre-register for the birding festival activities that best suit your interests. Many of the activities are conducted at the same time so please register for only one activity per time slot. Pre-registration for lunch is also preferred for planning purposes.
There is no charge for events at the refuge, but to plan for guides and food,
pre-register online by mail or by calling Lostwood NWR at 701-848-2722. |
Friday, June 10th
| 6:00am-10:30am |
Sparrow Seekers Guided Birding Tour
Tour group size is limited. Register early.
|
If you have a checklist of grassland bird species that are your "must see or hear" birds, this is the tour for you. For 4 1/2 hours your experienced guides will visit numerous locations as the birds dictate. Some walking will be done, so that you can learn to identify the calls and visual identification of those difficult grassland birds. Other sightings will not be ignored, but the focus of this tour is for the dedicated birders who are looking for the elusive grassland sparrows. This tour will visit portions of the Refuge that will maximize your birding experience. A field break for your comfort will be provided during the tour. |
6:30am-10:30am |
Birding Basics
Tour group size is limited. Register early.
|
If you are a beginner, or want to review the basics, this session will provide instruction on how to identify birds, use a field guide, and get the most out of your binoculars. Birding will be done around the headquarters, within easy walking distance, maximizing the time spent birding for 4 hours. Field guides and binoculars will be available for loan. This is your chance to get hints from an expert. |
| 8:00am-10:30am |
Safari Style Guided Tour
Tour group size is limited. Register early.
|
This shorter (2 1/2 hour) Refuge tour will be interpreted while participants stay on board and observe from their bus seats. This tour is focused on people who want a broader wildlife experience, with no walking required. Beginner birders should note that some optics may be available for loan. |
|
10:30am-10:45am |
Break |
Enjoy complimentary refreshments, view static exhibits and informational displays.
|
|
10:45am-Noon |
Lostwood Wilderness Walk |
A
guided walk over rough terrain without a trail to explore wilderness on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge. |
|
Noon-1:00pm |
Lunch |
Lunch and refreshments at Lostwood NWR |
1:00pm-1:45pm |
Sharp-tailed Grouse Study |
Join Aaron Robinson, North Dakota Game and Fish Upland Game Biologist currently conducting grouse research on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge. The session will discuss study purposes, design, and preliminary results. Learn how these birds are tracked on such a broad prairie landscape, and the new discoveries of the study. |
1:45pm-3:30pm |
Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses Walk |
Join us as we observe the waving seas of native grasses and flowers. This is the habitat that is unique and vital to the grassland birds.
|
1:45pm-3:30pm |
Youth Activities |
Educational and fun activities for youth of all ages will be led by Jackie Jacobson of Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. Learning is cleverly hidden when you are enjoying yourself this much!
|
Saturday, June
11th
6:00am-10:30am |
Sparrow Seekers Guided Birding Tour
Tour group size is limited. Register early. |
If
you have a checklist of grassland bird species that are your "must see or hear" birds, this is the tour for you. For 4 1/2 hours your experienced guides will visit numerous locations as the birds dictate. Some walking will be done, so that you can learn to identify the calls and visual identification of those difficult grassland birds. Other sightings will not be ignored, but the focus of this tour is for the dedicated birders who are looking for the elusive grassland sparrows. This tour will visit portions of the Refuge that will maximize your birding experience. A field break for your comfort will be provided during the tour. |
6:00am-10:30am |
White Earth Valley Guided Birding Tour
Tour group size is limited. Register early.
|
New this year, will be a 4 ½ hour bus tour of the Lostwood Wetland Management District, providing the opportunity to visit habitats not commonly found on the Refuge. Possible sightings, depending on spring conditions, include buntings in wooded breaks, grebes in fresh water wetlands, great blue heron/black crowned night heron in a large wetland, and chestnut collared longspur in grazed pastures. Note that this tour will require more time in the bus.
|
| 8:00am-10:30am |
Safari Style Guided Tour
Tour group size is limited. Register early. |
This
shorter (2 1/2 hour) Refuge tour will be interpreted while participants stay on board and observe from their bus seats. This tour is focused on people who want a broader wildlife experience, with no walking required. Beginner birders should note that some optics may be available for loan.
|
|
10:30am-10:45am |
Break |
Enjoy complimentary refreshments, view static exhibits and informational displays. |
10:45am-Noon |
Lostwood Birding & Nature Association Annual Meeting |
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! |
Remainder of the Day |
~ ~ Open Afternoon ~ ~ |
Please feel free to remain on the Refuge exploring this outstanding prairie resource. The auto tour route and national hiking trail are open to all visitors until sunset. You're invited to explore the wilderness area anytime. Please respect the nesting habitat and stay on the tour route or hiking trail. If you choose to bird off the Refuge, please remember to ask for permission from private landowners before venturing off-road. |
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