2021 FESTIVAL OF BIRDS

A Month Devoted to Birds!
- Step 1 – Purchase Your All-Inclusive Festival Pass Below
- Step 2 – Use Your Festival Code to Register for Each Lecture/Event
- Step 3 – Use Your Code to Receive 15% Off Eco-Tours
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Scott Weidensaul

January 13, 2021
Messing Around with Birds (For Fun and Science)
Join naturalist Scott Weidensaul for a lighthearted exploration of his many avian research projects, from banding hawks and tiny saw-whet owls to tracking snowy owls and studying the migration of western hummingbirds that aren’t supposed to be in the Northeast in December (but are). Best of all, learn how anyone with some enthusiasm and time can make important contributions to the science and conservation of birds, and have a great time doing it.
EBIRD CHALLENGE WITH ROOKERY BAY

January 1-31, 2021
Interested in the Birds Around You?
Learn More and Win Prizes!
Participate in the Rookery Bay eBird Challenge! eBird is a an amazing citizen science project that helps everyday people track bird populations and see migration shifts.
There are 3 different ways to participate and explore your area for any level of birder.
- Streak Challenge – Submit a checklist every day of the month and see how long of a streak you can have!
- Backyard (Patch) Challenge – Submit multi-checklists for the same location in your neighborhood within a 5 mile radius area.
- Collier Challenge – Find as many different species of birds in Collier County, Florida throughout the month.
ECO-TOURS
January 1-31, 2021
Voted #1 Best in USA Today
For the month of January only get 15% OFF with Festival Pass of kayak and boat tours at Rookery Bay Research Reserve with our ecotour affiliated partner – Rising Tide Explorers. Discount code provided with Festival Pass purchase.

LECTURES & VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES
Athan Barkoukis
Keith Laakkonen

January 5, 2021
Welcome to Festival of Birds 2021
With renewed public interest in nature, we celebrate Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 40+ years protecting 40% of Collier County’s coastline. Through volunteerism, outreach and advocacy efforts and membership support, learn how you can make a difference protecting this special place for generations to come.
Holly Merker

January 6, 2021
eBird and Citzen Science: Making Impacts in Understanding Bird Populations and Migration
How can you make a direct impact on bird conservation? By contributing your bird observations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Database, you are powering conservation science. These data are critical in research, land management, and conservation projects across the globe. In this webinar, we’ll explore how these data are used, and how to use eBird.
Paul Gray

January 7, 2021
Recovery of the Everglade Snail Kite in Florida
The endangered Everglade Snail Kite population crashed in the early 2000s, losing some 75% of all adults in just a decade. Since then, exotic apple snails have proliferated and supported a gradual rebound in Kite numbers and expansion of their nesting range. Unfortunately, native apple snails populations do not seem large enough, or widespread enough, to be supporting Snail Kites today. Paul will give an update on snail and Kite trends including the good and not so good future scenarios.
EDscursion @ CWA

January 8, 2021
Explore Critical Wildlife Areas in Rookery Bay Research Reserve Virtually!
Critical Wildlife Areas offer refuge to thousands of birds in Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Join Rookery Bay’s Education Team and explore the nesting and resting spots for multiple birds in Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Live and streaming with a question and answer session.
Jim McGinity

January 8, 2021
Where O’ Where Can the Songbirds Go? – Passerine Bird Migration Along the West Coast of Florida
What challenges do migratory songbirds face on their biannual migrations north and south each year? Come learn about migration from the perspective of one of our favorite groups of birds: warblers, tanagers and other passerines.
This program will give an overview of the process of bird banding, review the findings of the 10 – year study of the migratory birds in Hammock Park, Dunedin, discuss the future of the project on Caladesi Island State Park and end with a visual “songbird quiz” and highlights of the birds we have banded to close out the program.
Jean Hall

January 9, 2021
Burrowing Owls of Marco Island
One of the most charismatic owls on the planet, Burrowing Owls are tough, adaptable, and resilient. Jean Hall will share her experiences with the Florida Burrowing Owl through her photography and personal stories.
Shawn Clem

January 11, 2021
Wood Storks and the increasingly important role of inland wetlands on a developing SWFL landscape
Southwest Florida’s iconic Wood Storks, particularly those nesting at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, are facing increasing challenges as development progresses in inland Collier County. Learn more about how Wood Storks are doing, what threats this species is facing, and how conservation measures aimed at improving nesting conditions can benefit wildlife and people throughout our region.
Adam DiNuovo

January 12, 2021
Life in a Seabird Colony
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on a remote island with nothing but birds? Join Adam DiNuovo as he discusses his adventures from years of living and working with seabirds.
Birding Photography Class

January 13, 2021
Learn to Take Better Bird Photos
If you want to get the best bird pictures possible, and truly understanding your camera’s features, this online photography workshop is for you!
Virtual Binoculars

January 16, 2021
Join Us LIVE and Streaming on the Beach and Check Out Birds in Real time Through a Virtual Spotting Scope!
Southwest Florida is a critical stopover site for thousands of migrating and wintering shorebirds. In this virtual program, Adam DiNuovo of Audubon Florida and Collette Lauzau of Rookery Bay Research Reserve will discuss the life history of these birds and the incredible journeys many of them make annually.
Alaska EDscursion

January 22, 2021
How Birds Connect the Tundra to the Tropics and the Reserves Along the Way
Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve and connect live with our sister Reserve in Kachemak Bay, Alaska to learn about the bird life and diverse habitats in Alaska along with our Education Team.
Trivia Night
