BS: Bird Festival?

Subject: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 06:01 PM

I've been asked to work on setting up a Bird Festival and I don't have any idea what you DO at one..or why anybody would think it was fun.

Can anybody tell me what goes on at these things?

Thanks,
M

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:50 PM

I'm in the process of setting one up myself. It's basically a bunch of activities having to do with birdwatching. We're having guided birding walks, an osprey watch, informational tables, displays and a raptor rehabilitator with some live birds. Next year we're hoping to add a hawk ID clinic to go along with the annual hawk watch at the park I work at. It's fun if you're a birder...

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:06 PM

Are the activities organized by skill-level?
Are they hands-on type, or more lecture/informative?

Why don't the birds along the Guided Walk leave?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:17 PM

I don't know how things are done at other festivals, this is the first one I've been involved with, but it's open to the general public, so not organized by skill level. I plan on having some things on display at a table, including a selection of field guides, photos, and other show-and-tell kind of stuff. I've got some volunteers leading the walk. The birds will either be there or they won't, that's the risk of dealing with wildlife. However, as it's the start of nesting season for them, most of them will be singing their little hearts out proclaiming territory and won't notice all the people walking along the trail, especially as people are always walking along the trail.

The other activities that are going on are taking place at our sister park, and I don't have to organize those. I think it'll probably be a mix of hands on and lecture.

I'll talk to my associate and find out what he's doing and I'll PM you with details, but it probably won't be until Sunday at the earliest.

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:21 PM

I'd really appreciate that. It would be kind of nice to sort of have an idea what I'm asking folks to do when I'm running around roping them into volunteering.

Will you be selling guides and such at the fest?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: open mike
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:27 PM

CHECK OUT THIS EVENT WHICH IS HELD IN AND AROUND CHICO
ON THE WESTERN FLYWAY...WHEN THE GEESE AND OTHER BIRDS ARE
MIGRATING...this event has many participants, and many
activities which are held in numerous different places..

http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/

fieldtrips, workshops, hikes, presentations involve many agencies, experts and participants.

environmental groups, wildlife refuge, recreation department,
local , state, and federal agencies
(fish and game, forest service, national parks...for example)
schools...elementary, secondary, college/university
museums, hunting organizations such as "Ducks Unlimited"
what species of birds are in your area?
what is your state bird?
which ones nest in your area? migrate through?
are endangered? and introduced?

wildlife rehab organizations might have critters they
could bring for viewing/handling...live animals are
always a great thing for people to see and enjoy.
Raptors are especially intriguing...owls, hawks..
perhaps there is a falconer in the area who could
give demos of a bird flying, hunting, etc.

we also have an environmental fair (the endangered species fair)
presented by the Butte Environmental council every year.
there are booths, show and tell, dancers in costumes,
horse drawn wagon rides, and animals...
music, http://www.endangeredspeciesfaire.org/

you'll think of something...let us know!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:27 PM

No, no merchandising, our state park system is too broke to invest in them this year. I have a feeling that most of the people attracted to these sorts of events already have some experience birding and probably have their own guides, but like I said, this is a first for me, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:37 PM

Will yours have something for kids, ranger..or just regular birdfolk?

I was wondering if it would be sensible to try pulling some homeschoolers with an offer of some kind of tasty educational morsel..


om- I think we'll be using whatever Experts we can manage to get. I was told (right after I balked at the idea of a Bird Festival) that our Conservation Dept (and I think he named a couple others..I didn't hear too well with my ears glazed over in an effort not to hear anything that would strike me as hilarious) has some birds and stuff.
I don't think I'll have to do that part of the organizing..ought to be able to delegate that upward by not claiming the task.

Have you been to bird fests?
If so, what did you do/see..like/dislike?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:39 PM

ranger,
Will you invite/allow vendors at yours?

How/where are you advertising?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 10:33 PM

That Snow Goose site is going to be useful to me, om.
Thank you

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 10:40 PM

Why not just pass around Audobon artwork and listen to Charlie Parker?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 10:43 PM

I think that sounds like a great idea, Spaw.
Can I use you as my Expert Opinionator to add credibility to the suggestion when I make it?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 11:22 PM

Happy to oblige. Matter of fact what you need are about three of Parker's collections (make sure there is some of the blues stuff along with the be-bop.......Charlie was underrated as a blues player. Then find that great old collection of Audubon prints like my grandmother had....they were simply beautiful and I spent many hours just looking at them-one of my earliest childhood memories.

Then serve up some Bird Cookies and a few bottles of Flamebird Wine and you'll be all set!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: Melissa
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 11:26 AM

Those bird cookies are fun! We can have Decorating, Identifying and Eating. That's three tables taken care of.

I think I'll volunteer to run the Flamebird table..presuming it's not too vile and that we're giving samples.



I wonder if I'll be asked to help set up a second year for the festival?

Subject: RE: BS: Bird Festival?
From: artbrooks
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 02:52 PM

One of the chapters (if that's the right term) of one of the wild bird rescue organizations normally shows up at (generic) nature festivals here. They bring birds that are so injured (blinded, etc) that they cannot be released into the wild. You might find out if there is such an organization near you, and see if they have birds to present.