St. George Winter Bird Festival

Bird Southwest Utah at the 6^th Annual St. George Winter Bird Festival from January 29 – February 1, 2009. This Community Outreach Program of the Red Cliffs Audubon Society will be an “Educational Experience” for all levels of birders. It is a wonderful opportunity for all ages to attend and learn from the numerous presenters and leaders that volunteer their time. All activities are free, except for the Banquet.

The festival kicks off at the beginning of the week with Educational Programs for students as Hawkwatch International visits numerous schools. Also, prior to the event, there will be a fun photo-contest to enter. The events for the general public will begin on Thursday evening at the BLM with presentations; Identifying Western Migrant Buteos, Bird Brained, Wind Turbines & Their Affect on Birds.

Headquarters for the festival are centered at the Tonaquint Park & Nature Center.  During the day on Friday & Saturday there will be Exhibits, Sales, Presentations, and Children’s Workshops.  The South West Wildlife Foundation and Hawkwatch International will have live birds for you to see! Outstanding and unique daytime activities include: Landscaping for Birds/Native Plants, Introduction to Bird Watching, Bird Photography, Raptors that Winter in SW Utah, Raptor Rapture, Night Flight: The Life of Bats, Binoculars & Scopes, Owls: Masters of the Night, Fantastic Bird Photos, Building Bird Houses & Bird Feeders, Southwest Willow Flycatchers, Birding for Kids, Birds of Prey, Plants/Flowers Tour and Unique Environments of Utah’s Dixie.

This year the festival is pleased to present Ned Hill, avid birder who will share his “Birding adventures in Brazil” Friday evening at the Dunford Auditorium - Dixie State College. For the traditional Saturday evening banquet, held at Best Western Abbey Inn in St. George, Bill Fenimore, birder, author, educator, naturalist, owner of the Wild Bird Center will present “Birding is a Life Journey”. Entertainment with the Jim Sevy Band, fine dining, door prizes and a silent auction. Cost is $20, and the registration deadline is January 24^th. Register through the St. George Recreation Center: 435-634-4560 or go to www.activityreg.com under programs/nature center.

From the Friday to Sunday there are field trips featuring: Lytle Ranch, Washington Fields/Springs Park, Quail Creek Reservoir-Hurricane Fields, St. George Local Ponds, Toquerville/ Grafton/ Springdale, Rio Virgin Estates, Western Reservoirs, Virgin River Trail, Cedar Valley, RC Desert Reserve/Confluence Park, Fort Pearce Trail, Photography Trip, Find the Vermillion Flycatcher and a Falconry Field Excursion!  During the winter months many waterfowl migrate through and stop over in our lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. All field trips are free and open to the public and will depart from the Tonaquint Park parking lot. 

To view and print a brochure, schedule of events, posters and photo contest forms go to www.redcliffsaudubon.org or www.sgcity.org/birdfestival. For further information contact the Festival Chairman, Marilyn Davis at 435-673-0996 or e-mail at mkdavis028@msn.com.  You don’t want to miss this exciting event sponsored by numerous businesses and organizations! Make your plans today for a wonderful birding event in St. George!