To help promote the exposure of our young to nature, the Huron Fringe Birding Festival is offering a Family Program. The Family Program runs concurrent with our Birding and Nature Festival where registration has been in progress since February first. For details on all the programs offered, please visit http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/huron-fringe-birding-festival.
New for 2015, the Huron Fringe Birding Festival has added a family program aimed at children and their accompanying parents, grandparents, etc. The program features family-oriented programs and activities on the Saturday and Sunday of the 2nd weekend of the Festival which runs May 28 to May 31. Adventures for the children include nest box building, pond exploration, a birds of prey presentation from Wild Ontario, a course called Birding 101 and a Campfire Program. Check out the schedule below and get set for a great family weekend. SATURDAY MAY 30 Morning - 6:00 am to noon – BIRD BANDING – Dave Brewer FAM1 - 9:00 AM – BIRDING 101 FOR FAMILIES – Doug Pedwell – Birding is a family-friendly hobby. Doug will talk about the equipment needed; how to recognize family friendly field guides and, of course, how to identify birds. (limit 40) -Afternoon - FAM2- 1:30 PM – AFTERNOON ADVENTURES (Children will be divided into two groups. Each child will attend both afternoon programs – limit 40) BINO BOY & ELYTRA GIRL – Andalynne & Richard Tofflemire -Time to go on an outdoor adventure! With Bino Boy’s binocular vision and Elytra Girl’s power of magnifying, we’ll be out to discover all that can be found in an exciting, entertaining way! AND CHICKADEE NEST BOXES – Kerry Jarvis – Build a chickadee nest box. No carpentry skills are required. Participants will assemble their own boxes. Imagine the thrill of seeing a Black-capped Chickadee choose your nest box to raise its family! (Chickadee nest box kit – $10 extra per child) Evening FAM3 – 7:15 PM – DOWN WITH DR. ENTO – CAMPFIRE PROGRAM – Matt Cunliffe – Fascinated by the insect world? You can learn more about these incredible creepy crawlers from world renowned Dr. Ento…Mologist, through songs, games and trivia… 6 legs, 3 body parts, 1 campfire SUNDAY MAY 31 Morning - FAM4 – 9:00 AM – MORNING EXPLORATIONS (Children will be divided into two groups. Each child will attend both morning programs.) (limit 40)POND EXPLORATION – Andalynne & Richard Tofflemire – Join Richard and Andalynne for an informal, hands-on look at the fascinating critters that make the pond their home. Dip nets, basins and hand lenses will help us look at the often-unseen animals that live in pond water. AND BIRDING 102 FOR FAMILIES – Doug Pedwell – This hike will take place at the Duck’s Unlimited wetland where we will use the bird blind and the tower to see what is in the wetlands. (car required) -Afternoon - FAM5 – 1:30 PM – BIRDS OF PREY – Wild Ontario – Enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff and volunteers are supported by non-releasable birds of prey during a program that is loaded with fantastic facts, a healthy dose of humour, an inspiring message and lots of “WOW” moments. (outdoors). One parent/guardian must accompany children from the same family. This person is allowed to participate in the event free of charge. See the website for parent/guardian registration details. 2015 FESTIVAL FEES: Saturday & Sunday/Family Weekend – $45. CHILD: (5 – 12 – accompanied by an adult) First parent is free. For other festival fees please consult the website posted above. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
