Our first International Migratory Bird Day event was a big success on Saturday, with?200 people in attendance!?Scott Richardson led a bird walk on the trails of the Reserve, where?participants were treated to a white-eyed vireo sighting.

Adults and children alike participated in the birdhouse workshop. Ten?birdhouses were constructed and went home with families to provide needed bird habitat.

Lots of?participants planted flower seeds for birds and made pinecone/soynut butter/birdseed treats for our avian friends, too. There were also a bunch of colorful bird puppets created!

Some visitors learned about bird feet, beaks, and song with Vivian as their star educator.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge had a table at the event and provided free International Migratory Bird Day posters, stickers, and Junior Birder activity booklets. June Ficker of York County Audubon Society?and her dedicated bird banding crew? caught lots of birds in their mist?nets.?Some lucky participants?were given the opportunity to release the birds, after?the necessary data was recorded.

The Center for Wildlife, a local rehabilitation center for wildlife,?did a presentation on migratory raptors. Live nonreleasable animal ambassadors included a merlin, kestrel, peregrine falcon, and great horned owl. En route from the barn, visitors measured their wingspans.

Good times were had by all!

The International Migratory Bird Day event was made possible due to generous funding from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.