Home to more than 350 species of birds, Volusia County becomes an
avian highway during the fall months as thousands of birds migrate to
spend the winter or pass through the area to their wintering grounds
farther south.
Visit the Marine Science Center (MSC) from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10, for the annual celebration of migratory birds,
nature and conservation. The “Wings on the Wind” Migratory Bird Festival
will provide visitors of all ages many opportunities to learn more about
the wonder of bird migration through featured lectures, activities,
field trips, and educational and craft booths. Admission to the MSC
is free all day.
The event will culminate with the beachside release of one or more
birds from the MSC’s Mary Keller Bird Rehabilitation Sanctuary. The
release will be at staged at Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet, at 3
p.m. near the main parking lot on the inlet.
Wings on the Wind will offer field trips, classes, lectures,
information booths, and children’s activities to educate the public
about the abundance of wildlife around us. Below is the schedule of
events for the one-day celebration:
- 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.: Falcons of Volusia County, featuring a
live kestrel. Learn about the falcons that inhabit Volusia County and
meet one of the permanent residents of the Marine Science Center.
Program will be on the Marine Science Center back deck.
- 11 a.m.: Bird Rescue, Rehab, and Release at the Marine Science
Center - Meet the bird rehabilitation staff and learn about the specific
protocol used to care for and rehabilitate injured and orphaned birds in
Volusia County including permitting, rescue information, and bird
migration. Program will be in the Marine Science Center classroom.
- 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Falconry demonstration - Join falconer
Russ Adams in this amazing demonstration of the falconer’s art and
witness the free-flying action of a trained Harris’ hawk. Learn about
the special adaptations of these spectacular hunters. The demonstration
will be in the Marine Science Center parking lot.
- Noon: Bird Watching Basics - Join Michael Brothers, MSC director,
for a presentation on birding basics such as field guides, optics,
common bird sightings and popular birding spots. Program will be in the
Marine Science Center classroom.
- 1 p.m.: Creating Bird and Butterfly Gardens Using Native Plants - A
local botanist will explain the benefits of using native plants to
provide habitat for birds and butterflies. Program will be in the Marine
Science Center classroom.
- 2 p.m.: Arts, Crafts, and Microscopes - Create lobster and pelican
puppets or whirly snakes and turtles. Then examine some preserved
specimens under microscopes. Program will be in the Marine Science
Center classroom.
- 3 p.m.: Bird release* at Lighthouse Point Park - One or more
rehabilitated birds will be released on the inlet side of Lighthouse
Point Park, south of the main parking lot (*pending full recovery and
availability of releasable birds).
In addition to the one-day event, MSC staff will host field trips
Nov. 8, 9, and 11. From 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, MSC will
organize a field trip to Disappearing Island to see this important
shorebird habitat. Cost is $35 per person. Take a trip to the Lake
Apopka Restoration Area (normally closed to visitation) from 6 a.m. - 3
p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, for $35/person (transportation provided). And,
enjoy a rare opportunity from 6 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 (to
travel 45 miles off-shore to the Gulf Stream to search for birds that
spend their lives on the open ocean. Cost is $115 per person.
