International Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Come celebrate migratory birds on International Migratory Bird Day with family-friendly activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 8, at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.  

Migratory birds seen at Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge travel from as far away as South America to as far north as the arctic. Some birds only stop at the refuge to feed during their migration north, but others stay here for the summer. 

Migratory birds residing at the refuge include cinnamon teals, mergansers, northern shovelers, meadowlarks, yellow-headed blackbirds and many more.

Learn to identify migratory and resident birds on a guided bird walk. There will be a two-hour wetland bird walk starting at 9 a.m., a one-hour woodland bird walk starting at 11 a.m. and a 45-minute children’s bird walk starting at 11 a.m.

Local photographer Nancy Russell will be discussing how to photograph birds at a photography demonstration beginning at 10 a.m.

Local artist Lee Harris will be demonstrating and giving tips on painting wildlife from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free painting supplies will be provided. 

Children’s activities include origami, face painting, decorating reusable shopping bags, building a bird feeder out of recycled materials (bring a jug if one is available), a bird walk at 11 a.m. (free birding material for the first fifteen kids), and painting a landscape. 

There will also be an ongoing silent auction and free educational materials.

The Friends of Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the celebration to increase public awareness and encourage conservation of migratory birds.

For more information, call 267-3888 or email FriendsofKootenaiNWR@gmail.com.