Wildlife Refuge celebrates Bird Day

The Oskaloosa Herald

PRAIRIE CITY May 02, 2008 09:47 am

— Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10, by offering a morning bird survey and activities throughout the day. The activities will begin at 7 a.m. with a bird survey led by Karen Viste-Sparkman, refuge biologist, and other bird-watching experts. All ages and abilities are welcome to attend. If you would like to participate in the survey, please be prompt as the birding parties will be departing the visitor center and will be out of contact until 11 a.m.
The visitor center will open at 9 a.m. with the remainder of the day’s activities beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the Junior Duck Stamp Award Ceremony. A lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs will be served by the Johnston Kiwanis from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a nominal fee. There will be a bird hike geared for “kids” of all ages at 11 a.m and a nature photographer, Carl Kurtz, sharing photos and photography tips at 1 p.m. There will be crafts and other activities throughout the day. Admission is free.
International Migratory Bird Day is an annual event to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation. The theme for IMBD 2008 is “Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People.” Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites throughout the Western Hemisphere. IMBD will explore the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to the conservation of birds and their habitats along the way. Located in the central part of the state, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991 as a tallgrass prairie restoration and reconstruction project. Today it consists of about 6,400 acres in various stages of restoration. The visitor center is open year around from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The outdoor portions of the refuge are open from dawn until dusk, including the bison and elk enclosure.