Each year, May is Bird Month in Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and partner organizations celebrate with a variety of activities across the state throughout the month.
This year's theme is Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities. More than half of the world's population lives in cities, a figure projected to double in the next 25 years. As communities expand, migratory birds face growing challenges.
Find more information about the month and several events planned at Out doorNebraska.gov; search for “Nebraska Bird Month.”
The following are a few ways to participate hosted by Game and Parks: Flock to Birds of a Feather on May 6 — Get ready to go birding by par- ticipating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.
On May 6, the topic will be Water: Sustaining Bird Life. Learn about key environments for migratory birds, such as stop-overs and breeding areas..
Beginner Birding Hike at Platte River SP — Meet at Platte River State Park's Nature Center below Mallet Lodge at 8:30 a.m. May 10 for a beginner birding hike. Discover what it takes to be a birder and practice bird identifi cation skills while hiking with a naturalist on a wooded trail with hills and rugged terrain.
Wise and Wild is May 13 at James Family Conservatory — Wise and Wild is a free program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 2:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's James
Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
On May 13, the topic will be World Migratory Bird Day: Water Sustaining Bird Life. Learn about key environments for migratory birds, such as stopovers and breeding areas.
Two Rivers SRA is All About Turkeys — Celebrate Nebraska’s spring turkey hunting season by learning All About Turkeys on May 17 at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. Strut on up to the educational table to make a turkey caller, look for turkeys and their tracks and more. Meet at the pavilion east of the Caboose Park between 8 a.m. and noon.
Celebrate Migratory Bird Day at Indian Cave SP — Come to Indian Cave State Park for the 11th Annual Migratory Bird Day on May 24 when the theme will be turkey vultures.
The day will include a guided bird outing, “Birding for everybody and every body!" at 3 p.m.; activities, bird-related crafts and games from 4-6 p.m.; fish fry from 6-7:30 p.m.; and glow-in-the-dark egg hunt for up to age 11 at 9 p.m. (baskets not provided).
Enjoy Migratory Bird Weekend at Lewis and Clark SRA — A weekend of fun, free activities for the family are scheduled May 24-25 for Migratory Bird Weekend at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area.
The schedule includes a birding hike, guided nature kayaking, birding games, crafts, outdoor movie (bring chairs and blankets), and glow-in-the- dark egg hunt.
For a complete schedule visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.Out - doorNebraska.gov or contact the park office at 402-388-4169 or ngpc.lewis.
