With the COVID-19 pandemic, our 26th Annual Songbird Festival will look different this spring.
The Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation is currently closed to the public as nature centres will be part of Step 3 for relaunch, and the LSLBO banding station is closed to the public to ensure that everyone stays safe this spring. We will be focusing on virtual and family self-directed fun this year.
- Songbird Festival Birding Passport:
Even though our festival birding hikes and banding lab tours will not be taking place this year, spring is a wonderful time for birding in the Lesser Slave Lake Area. Migratory birds are naturally funneled over Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park on their way north and over 255 species have been observed here (See LSLBO Checklist). Peak migration takes place in the third week of May to the end of May with the arrival of the last of the beautiful warblers.
Check out our Songbird festival Birding Passport for tips on where to go birding in our area!
2. Birdwatching Basics Webinar – Saturday, May 29th 2021 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Birdwatching is growing in popularity for people and families of all ages as they look for ways to get outside and enjoy nature. Birds are all around us – they
are in the country and in the cities and towns. You can’t go anywhere in the world without encountering a new species of bird. It’s hard to ignore them, but many people know less about birds than they would like. If you are one of those people, join the staff of the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory for this live and interactive webinar to learn about birding, why it’s so popular, what you’ll need to get started and the basics of bird identification to help you make the most of your next birding adventure.
After the presentation, we hope that you will be inspired to head out on your own birding adventure to enjoy all the spring songbirds.
TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM: Head to Eventbrite!
Or contact us at: 780-849-8240 or info@borealbirdcentre.ca
3. Youth Poster Contest – deadline May 31, 2021
This spring, billions of birds are migrating up to the boreal forest to raise their family! The boreal forest is one of the most important nursery habitats for many species of birds! Critters like birds, insects, amphibians and mammals take advantage of the large amount of space, habitat types and food options provided by the boreal forest.
Students from across Lesser Slave Lake region are invited to create a poster for the theme: “The Boreal Forest: North America’s Bird Nursery”
Entries should include showing at least one thing that makes the boreal forest a great nesting location for migrating birds including habitat type, nest locations, or food sources.
Entries will be judged based on three categories
Kindergarten — Grade 3 Grade 4 — Grade 6 Grade 7 and up
The top entries in each category will win Visa gift cards! Send your submissions to info@borealbirdcentre.ca by Monday, May 31st, 2022
Download poster contest rules here!
4. Ask the Banders at the LSLBO- Launching on Songbird Festival weekend (May 29)
LSLBO banders
Do you have a question about birds? With the public unable to visit to the banding station once again this spring due to COVID-19, we will be bringing our station to you! During our traditional Songbird Festival weekend, we will be introducing you to our amazing banding staff and giving them the chance to answer some of your burning questions about bird banding and birds in the boreal forest!
Send your questions in the form of a short video, and we’ll play it online. One of our banders will join us to answer it! To submit your video, email us at info@lslbo.org and put “Ask the banders” in the subject line.
If you are too shy to do a video, you can always just email us your questions as well. The banders are excited to hear what you have for them!
5. Songbird Scavenger Hunt – Launching Friday, May 28th!
Bring your family out to trails at the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation to test out your “birdwatching skills”! Discover some of our favourite songbirds in this fun scavenger hunt designed for all ages.
Check back here later this month for all the details.
MORE PROGRAMS WILL BE COMING TO HELP CELEBRATE SPRING MIGRATION!
