There are a couple of fun birding events coming up both in Minnesota that you might be interested in. I'm giving a program at one of the events, the other happens when I'm in Kazakhstan. May 2, 2009 - MOU Youth Birding Festival
This is a new event and I couldn't find a website for it, but did manage to locate the details. It's geared for kids between the ages of 10 - 19 and includes Bird banding, forest bird hikes, grassland bird hikes, wetland bird hikes, a session on digital photography, and birding by bike. I'll even give a presentation on techno birding. All session take place at Lowry Nature Center. Call 763-559-6700.
May 14 - 19, 2009 Urban Bird Festival
The annual Urban Bird Festival in Ramsey County, a fun, free, close-to-home celebration of springtime birds. The festival features guided bird walks at many area parks and golf courses, a bird expo and a spaghetti dinner (one of the few events charging a fee). The festival is designed for beginners as well as experts, and families and others. The public is invited to attend just a single bird walk or every event. Walks cover easy terrain and generally take about two hours. The dinner on May 16 features local humorist and bird columnist Clay Christensen, “The Birdman of Lauderdale.” His topic is “Attracting and identifying yard birds.”
The festival’s schedule on May 16 features a bird expo with a full day of displays, demos and hikes at Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville. A birding adventure by canoe and a tour of the habitat-rich Arden Hills Army Training Site (formerly known as the Twin Cities Arsenal) are highlights on May 17. Daily hikes and events are open to everyone and will be led by the area’s birding enthusiasts.