O’Brien County Conservation has a great line-up of events for the annual Wings & Wetlands festival. It is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of birds and their habitats. This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, May 15 at the Prairie Heritage Center and many of the presentations will also be hosted virtually so you can enjoy them from anywhere.
Begin your morning at 8:00 a.m. for a Warbler Walk with expert birder, Lee Schoenewe. Migrating songbirds are on the move and Schoenewe is exceptional at helping people identify birds. Registration is required for this event. To register visit www.prairieheritagecenter.org.
Two virtual presentations, by the Iowa DNR, will be live streamed at the Prairie Heritage Center at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The 9:30 a.m. presentation, by Wildlife Research Technician, David Hoffman, will focus on the history of Swans in North America and restoration efforts. Hoffman then will be joined by other Swan experts for a panel discussion. At 11:00 a.m. Avian Ecologist, Anna Buckardt Thomas, will share in Swan research, especially in regard to nesting behaviors. She also will share research on a Swan that received a GPS neck collar last fall in O’Brien County. Both presentations will be available to watch at the Prairie Heritage Center or you can request the Zoom link to watch from your own space. To request the zoom link please contact aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.
Participants visiting the Wings & Wetlands festival at the Prairie Heritage Center can also enjoy crafts and activities that will focus on birds and their habitats from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There also will be a storybook walk available all day on one of the trails. “Henry the Impatient Heron” by Donna Love will be the story presented.
Join in one or all of these events during the Wings & Wetlands festival. It is a great event for all ages and is available at no cost to participate in. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs. For more information visit www.prairieheritagecenter.org or contact naturalist, Abbie Parker, at 712-295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.