For ten years, the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) and community partners have celebrated spring migration with the Spring Birding Festival (SBF)

This year, given COVID 19 restrictions, the SBF is going virtual  with a roster of speakers and presenters sure to capture the magic of spring in the County. PEPtBO’s Get Out! Kids’ Club will offer hands-on family fun with nature-centered activities.

Together with speakers and community partners, the month-long Festival offers an innovative six-webinar series.

All webinar sessions and activities are free and start at 7 PM unless noted otherwise.

Sessions launch April 26 with Kyle Blaney of Quinte Field Naturalists with “Beauty Close to Home”.

On May 5 Terry Sprague, “Keep it Natural and They Will Come” suggests how to build a garden to attract birds and butterflies. May 8 at 12 PM Cheryl Chapman spotlights PEPtBO’s work in “All about the Bird Observatory”. 

As a highlight on May 19 keynote speaker Julia Zarankin, best-selling author of “Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder. A modest registration fee per connection gives exclusive access to her presentation. 

On May 20 at 10 AM Julie White, organic apiarist explains “What Goes on in the Beehive”. And on May 25 Kari Gunson, in partnership with Prince Edward County Field Naturalists shows “How to use Naturalist”.

As part of the Festival, on May 15, the Prince Edward County Library will hold a virtual Bird Adventure Storytime at 10:30 AM and South Shore Joint Initiative will host a distanced South Shore Stroll at 11 am.

Two, unique family projects are also available to download, “Bird Behaviour Scavenger Hunt” and “The Top Five Nature Challenge”.

These family outdoor activities are provided by PEPtBO’s Get Out! Kids’ Club. In addition, families can register to receive a kit by mail containing birding activities, Junior Birder Journals, maps, Sketch books – everything needed to take the family on outdoor family adventures this spring.

For more information on the SBF or to register for a free birding kit please visit https://peptbo.ca/sbf/

To download the “Bird Behaviour Scavenger Hunt” please visit https://peptbo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Bird-Behavior-Sccavenger-Hunt.pdf

To download “The Top Five Nature Challenge” please visit https://peptbo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Top-5-Challenge-spring.pdf