Anhingas and cormorants and terns, oh my! Birds of a feather flocked together for a weekend of avian immersion at the second annual Indian River Birding Festival and Nature Art Show hosted by the Pelican Island Preservation Society and the Environmental Learning Center.
Birders descended upon the Environmental Learning Center for the weekend’s activities, which included a plein-air paint-out with juried art show and three days of birding tours and lectures.
The ELC was the perfect setting for the festival: a haven for native wildlife and a place where people are educated, inspired and empowered to become active stewards of the environment.
“We are happy to host the Pelican Island Preservation Society’s birding festival this year because of our love of birds and the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge that the society promotes,” said Molly Steinwald, ELC executive director.
“One of the ELC’s most popular pontoon boat tours over the years allows guests to view the myriad of birds during nesting season at the refuge – a truly glorious sight to behold and yet one that few people experience,” Steinwald added. “The refuge provides these species critical habitat and we have the responsibility and joy of sharing the message of their importance with the greater world.”
The Pelican Island Preservation Society has spent close to 30 years helping to promote and preserve the refuge.
“The festival is a great way to pay tribute to the refuge,” said PIPS President Steve Massey. “We are hosting this event to help raise awareness and money to help support Pelican Island. We couldn’t have done this without the help of the ELC, Indian River County Historical Society and the Pelican Island Audubon Society.”
Local naturalists affiliated with the collaborative organizations shared their expertise and offered attendees a glimpse into the wild through a variety of tours. One was the Owl Prowl, a special nighttime tour to seek out bats, flying squirrels, frogs and owls on the ELC campus. Other tours over the weekend took place at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, Jungle Trail, the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area, Vero West Wastewater Treatment Wetlands, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Blue Cypress Lake, Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area and a sunset cocktail cruise on the Lagoon.
Birding newcomers could attend a 45-minute lecture before heading out into the field to try out some of the skills and techniques they learned with hopes of discovering some of the more than 300 species of birds living in Indian River County.
In March, birders will want to make sure to attend the annual Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, which celebrates the 1903 founding of Pelican Island and birth of the National Wildlife Refuge System.