N4686 Blackbird Rd
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
(920) 210-4832
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Bird Festival Events 2009 - Our Bird Festival Committee is diligently working on the 2009 Horicon Marsh Bird Festival Schedule. We hope to have it completed by December 1st or before. This schedule will contain many of the 2008 events, so you are invited to take a look at the 2008 event schedule (below) to get some idea of what our Festival has to offer. Many of these events are year after year favorites and we will try to continue to offer them again in 2009. Our Committee understands very well your desire to “book” those events that you wish to participate in for 2009 and that is why we are working to this end right now as you are reading this message. Thank you for your understanding. HORICON MARSH BIRD FESTIVAL 2008 1 HABITAT BIRDING bus & boat tour Registration Required ($) 
Friday, May 9, 2008 - 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM .jpg) This is an all day two-part tour by bus and pontoon boat. Trip leaders will be Daryl Tessen, Dennis Gustafson & Larry Michael. With the use of a bus, we will bird some of the better habitat locations around Horicon Marsh. Our main objective is to ID as many bird species as possible and provide an opportunity to sharpen bird identification skills. Short hikes will provide easy walking and we will try to stay on dry ground. After a one-hour break we will make use of one of the best ways to bird Horicon Marsh, which is by pontoon boat. Birding by boat gives you an opportunity to look for birds from the marsh's interior. Most of our local nesting birds will be present, bolstered by our migrants that use the marsh to refuel and rest. A large and varied list of birds should be seen. Captains Marc Zuelsdorf and Jerry Genzmer will be your guides for this part of the tour. A box lunch & drink are included in the cost of this tour. Meet at the DNR Field Office, end of North Palmatory St. in Horicon. Bus departs at 6:00 AM SHARP and Boat departs at 3:00 PM SHARP from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. *Mailed in registration with payment required. 2 STEAK FRY Friday, May 9, 2008 - 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Sponsored by Horicon Chamber of Commerce, corner of Washington St. & Hwy. 33 in Horicon. 3 SIGHTSEEING TOUR by boat ($) Friday, May 9, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM A 1 hr. narrated pontoon boat tour of the inner Horicon Marsh, observing the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 4 NIGHT SOUNDS BUS TOUR Registration Required ($)
Friday, May 9, 2008 - 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM .jpg) Join Jack Bartholmai, Erin Railsback and Marc Zuelsdorf for this unique dusk into dark tour of the night sounds on Horicon Marsh. The tour begins in the Marsh Haven Nature Center's Theater with a multi-media introduction to the critters that call in the night. There will be a display of live frogs and toads that make the majority of night sounds on the Marsh. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has given us permission to go on the Auto Tour loop at dusk and stay AFTER DARK. We will stop to hear and see the Woodcock dance. This trip will also focus on other songs and calls of our marsh's night birds and amphibians. The trip includes stops along the Auto Tour Route and Boardwalk. Conditions permitting, we will take a short walk down the Old Marsh Road and hear the marsh come alive with wildlife music. There will be some walking. . . rated easy. Meet in Marsh Haven Nature Center's Gift Shop 7p.m. (open all day) located right off Hwy 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour. *Mailed in registration with payment required. Call 920-485-4663 for availability5 BIG SIT AT HORICON MARSH Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 12:00 AM to 8:00 PM  Starting at 12 midnight on Friday, join Larry Michael and other Horicon Marsh Bird Club members (all or parts of the event will be canceled if there is bad weather) for a unique way to bird watch. Similar to a "Big Day" our goal is to identify as many bird species as possible in a 20-hour time period. On Big Days most birders try to cover as much ground as possible by vehicle in order to find different habitats and hence different species. A "Big Sit" has the goal of finding as many bird species as possible, but is restricted to a 17-foot circle. The location of this event is the Observation Deck, located at the DNR Field Office at the end of Palmatory St. in Horicon. A great look at the cattail marsh, open water, grassland, shrubbery and trees give this location a high mark for species potential. We will have the species ID list posted and are looking for all the help that we can get into the 17ft circle. Come and join us for all or part of this annual event as we try to ID every bird seen and or heard from this location. We are averaging 79 bird species during the Big Sit and have a total species list of 112 from this Observation Deck over the last 4 Festivals. Feel free to check-in throughout the day to see where our count stands. Donations and pledges are greatly appreciated, as this is the Horicon Marsh Bird Club's main funding source for their projects and what we believe is a fun and educational Bird Festival. There will be a pledge / donation box located on the observation deck during the Big Sit. Pledges or donations can also be sent directly to the "Big Sit: by using the Event Registration Form on this web site. So we thank you in advance for your pledge or donation. Your generosity will go a long ways in helping support our "Bird Feeding / Landscaping Complex" project slated for the newly remodeled "Horicon Marsh International Education Center". We are hoping to provide both outdoor and indoor bird observations into this area. So come join us at the "Big Sit" and who knows, you might be able to add a bird species or two to our list of birds.6 HORICON NWR EAST TO WEST bus tour / hike Registration Required ($)
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM .jpg) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Trip Leaders are Pat Ready, Marty Evanson, Wendy Woyczik and Larry Michael. This field trip is designed for the more adventurous birder. While this tour will begin with us boarding a bus and birding the eastern half of Dike Road getting off at selected locations, it will end with a 2-mile plus bird walk along the western half of Dike Road. Dike Road, for those who are unfamiliar with Horicon Marsh is near the dividing line or border between the southern 1/3 of the marsh that is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the northern 2/3, which is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. With the cooperation of the USFWS, the western side of this Dike Road Tour will take place in an area that has not previously been birded during the Bird Festival. This western hike is a FESTIVAL ONLY EVENT and is closed to all other birders and non-birders, with a portion of each registration fee being donated to the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. While the eastern half is made up of mostly cattail marsh and open water, the western part is primarily a mixture of trees/shrub & edge habitat. NOTE: meet at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z on the east side of the marsh. The bus will depart at 6:00 AM SHARP. Bring your own snacks *Mailed in registration with payment required.7 HORICON MARSH DNR FIELD OFFICE and FESTIVAL INFORMATION CENTER Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Open 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM .jpg) Check here for up to date festival & marsh information. Maps, Festival Books and other handouts will be available. 2008 Bird Festival pins, hats and shirts will be on sale and will give participants a chance to show others their attendance at this event. We have a few festival pins from previous years so if you attended festivals in the past or are a pin collector, now is your chance to purchase them. New for 2008 will be the sale of Shade Grown Coffee which as most know, helps save important bird habitats. All located at the end of N. Palmatory St. in Horicon (on top of the hill). 8 FIRST LIGHT BIRDING bus tour Registration Required ($)
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM  Trip leaders are Daryl Tessen, Dennis Gustafson & Jeff Bahls. This is a field trip designed for birders who want to add as many species as possible to their bird lists. Be prepared to move by bus from location to location in search of migratory hot spots. There will be some walking but it is rated easy. We try our best to finish on time, but in the world of birding, bird activity is the deciding factor. Meet at the DNR Field Office, end of North Palmatory St. in Horicon. Bus departs at 6:00 AM SHARP. Bring your own snacks. *Mailed in registration with payment required. 9 BIRD BANDING DEMONSTRATION Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM  Join Bill Volkert and see our migrating songbirds close up and in the hand as they are captured, banded and released for study. This is a public demonstration where visitors will be able to see how and why bird banding is conducted. It also provides one of the best opportunities to observe these amazing migrants up close. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon10 BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 11 HORICON MARSH BIRDING bird hike Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM .jpg) Your hike leader will be Mike McDowell. This hike will focus on bird species numbers, in a seldom-birded area, covering a variety of habitats. Restrooms and drinking water are only available at the start of this hike. Carpooling would be greatly appreciated but not mandatory. Walking on uneven trails and in damp foliage is a possibility. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon. 12 HORICON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE VISITOR CENTER Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Watch a Refuge video, view interactive displays, observe the marsh from the viewing deck with spotting scopes and visit the Refuge gift shop. Opportunity to view the Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit. No charge for programs or activities. W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z. 13 BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM .jpg) Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-466314 NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM Join Joe and Barb Breaden in the fun of hands-on projects and group activities for kids, ages eight to twelve years old. Meet at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour. 15 BANDING NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Who are they and what makes them so special? Among the many birds captured and banded at the Bird Festival are numerous Neotropical migrant birds. Join Bill Volkert for this program that is a continuation of the Bird Banding Program with a discussion of the birds of two worlds - their North American breeding grounds and their tropical wintering grounds. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon. 16 BIRDSCAPING IN THE MIDWEST: Creating a 5-Star Bird Attraction in Your Yard Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM .JPG) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Join Mariette Novak and learn how to increase the number and variety of birds in your yard by growing native plants offering natural habitat and a year-long smorgasbord of berries, nuts, seeds and insects for birds. The importance of native plants vs. cultivated plants for birds and the problems with invasive non-native plant species will also be discussed. Program will be given at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z.17 WETLAND WATER BUGS Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM NEW FESTIVAL EVENT For young explorers of all ages. Join us to collect aquatic creatures from the marsh and learn how they adapt to survive. Meet at the boardwalk at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge auto tour route off Hwy 49. For more information, call 920-387-2658. 18 SIGHTSEEING TOUR by boat ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM A 1 hr. narrated pontoon boat tour of the inner Horicon Marsh, observing the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 19 WILD BIRDS OF PREY ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM .jpg) Have you ever wondered what it takes to work with injured birds of prey? Have you ever wanted to see them close up? Come and listen to the popular Barb Harvey, a licensed bird rehabilitator, as she gives an introduction to Wisconsin's hawks and owls. She uses slides, mounted specimens and LIVE birds in her presentation. The particular live birds may vary each day but have included a Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Kestrels, Great Horned Owl and others. Meet at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour. 20 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WOOD WARBLERS Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM .jpg) Join Bill Volkert for a slide presentation and hike. Often called the jewels of the bird world, the wood warblers are some of our most colorful birds, but challenging to identify by sight and sound. This program will help introduce birders to this amazing family of birds and help sharpen skills to learn these birds. Meet at the DNR Field Office, end of North Palmatory St. in Horicon.21 BEGINNING BIRDING bird hike Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Your hike leader will be Andrew Rothman. This program will introduce binocular and field guide use and bird identification for the beginning birder. A short bird hike will accompany the program. The hike may be on uneven trails but rated easy. This is for ALL ages that want to learn how to bird. Meet at the DNR Field Office at North Palmatory St. in Horicon. 22 BIRDSCAPING IN THE MIDWEST: Creating a 5-Star Bird Attraction in Your Yard Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM  NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Join Mariette Novak and learn how to increase the number and variety of birds in your yard by growing native plants offering natural habitat and a year-long smorgasbord of berries, nuts, seeds and insects for birds. The importance of native plants vs. cultivated plants for birds and the problems with invasive non-native plant species will also be discussed. Program will be given at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z.23 WILD BIRDS OF PREY ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM .jpg) Have you ever wondered what it takes to work with injured birds of prey? Have you ever wanted to see them close up? Come and listen to the popular Barb Harvey, a licensed bird rehabilitator, as she gives an introduction to Wisconsin's hawks and owls. She uses slides, mounted specimens and LIVE birds in her presentation. The particular live birds may vary each day but have included a Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Kestrels, Great Horned Owl and others. Meet at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour.24 BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM .JPG) Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-466325 BIRDS OF THE WOODLANDS bus tour & hike Registration Required ($)
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM .jpg) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Hike leader is Larry Michael. As the event title suggests, we will be targeting birds that use our woodland habitats as a place to feed, rest and nest. Warblers and Flycatchers first come to mind, but a wide variety of bird families and species use woodland habitats. While we will be traveling by bus in order to keep the number of vehicles down to one, this event will be mostly walking at a slow pace, watching and listening in one or two of our larger woodlots that are open to public birding. Uneven trails will be the norm, so wear good hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Bus departs at 4:30 PM SHARP. Meet at the DNR Field Office at North Palmatory St. in Horicon. *Mailed in registration with payment required. Call 920-485-4663 for availability26 BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 27 WISCONSIN FEDERAL JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CONTEST RECEPTION Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM This is a recognition reception for local K-12th grade winners and their families. Open to the public. Opportunity to view the Junior Duck Stamp Contest exhibit. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z. 28 TWILIGHT BIRDING by boat ($) Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM .JPG) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Have you ever wondered what kind of bird activity goes on in the interior of Horicon Marsh after sundown during Spring Migration? There are two ways to find out. One way would be to pull on a pair of waders and walk though the cattails, hoping to keep dry and to find some vantage point to look and listen for bird activity. The other, is to sit in a chair on the deck of a pontoon boat as it slowly and quietly motors and drifts along, all the time looking for and listening to the birds that are using the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States as a place to rest, feed and raise their young. Join us as we patiently watch & listen for our marsh birds and other wildlife and who knows you might find out the answer to what is going "bump in the night"? Tour departs from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 for reservations.29 WHAT WAS THAT? MARSHLAND NIGHT SOUNDS Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM During the day, Horicon Marsh is a relaxing and tranquil place to enjoy nature. But the dark mysteries of the marsh at night can be "chilling" to those not accustomed to the sights and sounds of nocturnal creatures. Hike leader Bill Volkert will dispel the myths of night as he helps you identify the many nocturnal sounds that come from within the cattails and surrounding area. This program will be conducted outside with easy walking so remember to dress warm and bring a low powered flashlight. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon. FIRST LIGHT BIRDING bus tour Registration Required ($) 
Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM .jpg) Trip leaders are Rachel Murray and Larry Michael. This is a field trip designed for birders who want to add as many species as possible to their bird lists. Be prepared to move by bus from location to location in search of migratory hot spots. There will be some walking but it is rated easy. We try our best to finish on time, but in the world of birding, bird activity is the deciding factor. Sunday's event is normally a repeat of Saturday. Meet at the DNR Field Office, end of North Palmatory St. in Horicon. Bus departs at 6:00 AM SHARP. Bring your own snacks. *Mailed in registration with payment required. HORICON NWR EAST TO WEST bus tour & hike Registration Required ($)
Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM .jpg) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Trip Leaders are Greg Seegert, Darlene Drews, Wendy Woyczik and Jeff Bahls. This field trip is designed for the more adventurous birder. While this tour will begin with us boarding a bus and birding the eastern half of Dike Road, getting off at selected locations, it will end with a 2-mile plus bird walk along the western half of Dike Road. Dike Road, for those who are unfamiliar with Horicon Marsh is near the dividing line or border between the southern 1/3 of the marsh that is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the northern 2/3, which is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. With the cooperation of the USFWS, the western side of this Dike Road Tour will take place in an area that has not previously been birded during the Bird Festival. This western hike is a FESTIVAL ONLY EVENT and is closed to all other birders and non-birders, with a portion of each registration fee being donated to the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. While the eastern half is made up of mostly cattail marsh and open water, the western part is primarily a mixture of trees/shrub & edge habitat. Sunday's event is normally a repeat of Saturday. NOTE: meet at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, located off of Cty. Z on the east side of the marsh. The bus will depart at 6:00 AM SHARP. Bring your own snacks *Mailed in registration with payment required. BIRD BANDING DEMONSTRATION Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM  Join Bill Volkert and see our migrating songbirds close up and in the hand as they are captured, banded and released for study. This is a public demonstration where visitors will be able to see how and why bird banding is conducted. It also provides one of the best opportunities to observe these amazing migrants up close. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon. HORICON MARSH DNR FIELD OFFICE and FESTIVAL INFORMATION CENTER Sunday, May 11, 2008 - Open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM Check here for up to date festival & marsh information. Maps, Festival Books and other handouts will be available. 2008 Bird Festival pins, hats and shirts will be on sale and will give participants a chance to show others their attendance at this event. We have a few festival pins from previous years so if you attended festivals in the past or are a pin collector, now is your chance to purchase them. New for 2008 will be the sale of Shade Grown Coffee which as most know, helps save important bird habitats. All located at the end of N. Palmatory St. in Horicon (on top of the hill). BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM  Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663.HORICON MARSH BIRDING bird hike Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Your hike leader will be Mike McDowell. This hike will focus on bird species numbers, in a seldom-birded area, covering a variety of habitats. Restrooms and drinking water are only available at the start of this hike. Carpooling would be greatly appreciated but not mandatory. Walking on uneven trails and in damp foliage is a possibility. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Watch a Refuge video, view interactive displays, observe the marsh from the viewing deck with spotting scopes and visit the Refuge gift shop. Opportunity to view the Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit. No charge for programs or activities. W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z. Birding Adventure boat tour ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM  Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663BANDING NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM  Who are they and what makes them so special? Among the many birds captured and banded at the Bird Festival are numerous Neotropical migrant birds. Join Bill Volkert for this program that is a continuation of the Bird Banding Program with a discussion of the birds of two worlds - their North American breeding grounds and their tropical wintering grounds. Meet at the DNR Field Office, North Palmatory St. in Horicon.WETLAND BIRD SLIDE SHOW ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM  Join Larry Vine for his slide show presentation (photos by Jack Bartholmai) on the common wetland birds found in Horicon Marsh. Located at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour. ($)SIGHTSEEING TOUR by boat ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM A 1 hr. narrated pontoon boat tour of the inner Horicon Marsh, observing the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 WILD BIRDS OF PREY ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM .jpg) Have you ever wondered what it takes to work with injured birds of prey? Have you ever wanted to see them close up? Come and listen to the popular Barb Harvey, a licensed bird rehabilitator, as she gives an introduction to Wisconsin's hawks and owls. She uses slides, mounted specimens and LIVE birds in her presentation. The live birds can vary each day but have included a Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Kestrels, Great Horned Owl and others. Meet at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour.DABBLERS AND DIVERS: WISCONSIN WATERFOWL Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM  Marshes are important for ducks and other water birds, but waterfowl can provide a challenge for identification. Through slides and the use of duck skins (mounts) Bill Volkert will examine the diversity among the ducks and their identification and their ecology. Meet at the DNR Field Office on North Palmatory St. in Horicon.BEGINNING BIRDING bird hike Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Your hike leader will be Andrew Rothman. . This program will introduce binocular and field guide use and bird identification for the beginning birder. A short bird hike will accompany the program. The hike may be on uneven trails but rated easy. This is for ALL ages that want to learn how to bird. Meet at the DNR Field Office at North Palmatory St. in Horicon. JUNIOR BIRDER ACTIVITIES Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Learn how to use a pair of binoculars, make your own field guide, or listen to your favorite birdcalls. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. W4279 Headquarters Rd. off Cty. Rd. Z. GRASSLAND BIRDS bird hike Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM .jpg) NEW FESTIVAL EVENT Many of the bird species that nest in grassland habitats are having a hard time maintaining their populations due to a variety of factors. While this area of Wisconsin is not known for its vast grasslands, both the Horicon NWR and DNR have done an admirable job in creating and managing grassland habitats in and around Horicon Marsh. Join Larry Michael as we explore a few of these unique places in search of a variety of bird species that call "grasslands" their home for all or part of their lifecycle. If you are interested in a variety of sparrows, bobolinks, meadowlarks and other "open habitat" birds, this is the hike for you. Uneven and wet trails are distinct possibilities so wear the proper footwear to avoid wet feet. Meet at Bud Cook Hiking Area parking lot, located on the northeast side of Horicon Marsh. BIRDING ADVENTURE boat tour ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Join your guide on a two-hour narrated birding adventure into the heart of the marsh by pontoon boat. Observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663. WILD BIRDS OF PREY ($) Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM .jpg) Have you ever wondered what it takes to work with injured birds of prey? Have you ever wanted to see them close up? Come and listen to the popular Barb Harvey, a licensed bird rehabilitator, as she gives an introduction to Wisconsin's hawks and owls. She uses slides, mounted specimens and LIVE birds in her presentation. The live birds can vary each day but have included a Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Kestrels, Great Horned Owl and others. Meet at Marsh Haven Nature Center off Hwy. 49 on the northwest corner of the Horicon Marsh across from the Refuge Auto Tour.RAILS, BITTERN and OWLS Oh My? by bus & hike Registration Required ($)
Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM NEW FESTIVAL EVENT More often heard than seen, join leader Larry Michael as we search for secretive birds such as Virginia Rail, Sora, American & Least Bittern, Screech, Barred and Great Horned Owl. Although there are no guarantees, who knows what we may find with a silent approach and a little patience. Bring along a low power flashlight to use on a short walk or two, rated easy. Meet at the DNR Field Office, end of North Palmatory St. in Horicon. Bus departs at 7:00 PM SHARP. *Mailed in registration with payment required. Call 920-485-4663 for availability HABITAT BIRDING boat & bus tour Registration Required ($)
Monday, May 12, 2008 - 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM  This is an all day two-part tour by pontoon boat and bus. Trip leaders will be Penny & Gary Shackelford and Larry Michael. We will make use of one of the best ways to bird Horicon Marsh, which is by pontoon boat. We will look for birds from the marsh's interior. Most of our local nesting birds will be present, bolstered by our migrants that use the marsh to refuel and rest, so a surprisingly varied list of birds will be seen. Captains Marc Zuelsdorf and Jerry Genzmer will be your guides. Following a 1/2 hr. break we will board the bus to bird some of the better habitat locations around Horicon Marsh. Our main objective is to ID as many bird species as possible and provide an opportunity to sharpen bird identification skills. Short hikes will provide easy walking and we will try to stay on dry ground. A box lunch & drink are included in the cost of this tour. Meet at Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon, where our boat tour begins. Boat departs at 6:00 AM SHARP. *Mailed in registration with payment required.SIGHTSEEING TOUR by boat ($) Monday, May 12, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM A 1 hr. narrated pontoon boat tour of the inner Horicon Marsh, observing the birds and animals in their natural habitat. Tours depart from Blue Heron Landing, Hwy 33 at the bridge in downtown Horicon. Call 920-485-4663 |
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