Spring Wings 2014 takes flight

Celebrate the annual migration of thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, wading and song birds through the beautiful Lahontan Valley. A variety of guided tours, workshops and free seminars are available during the weekend. Come join the migration celebration at Spring Wings!

Seats are limited and some tours sell out quickly the week of the Festival.

Guided tours cover Lahontan Valley wetlands, marsh, city, cultural history, wildlife and nature.

All programs, workshops, displays and tours begin at the Churchill County Parks and Recreation multipurpose building off Sheckler Road near Highway 95.

The 17th annual event features local birding hot spots, Stillwater marsh canoe floats, wetlands walks, and more and something for everyone to get outside and join the migration celebration. Tours start at 7 a.m. on Saturday and conclude Saturday evening. Saturday enjoy free workshops, displays and activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Churchill County Fairgrounds multipurpose building.

Friday highlights: workshop, evening program

2-5:30 p.m. — Wood duck nest box workshop – help the future of these o

5:30 p.m. — Demonstration of air cannon and net used to trap ducks for research; main parking lot

5:30 p.m. — Doors open for “Amazing Birds of Prey” — evening program with Master Falconer Marie Gaspari-Crawford and her beautiful falcons and hawks. Multipurpose building, 6–7:30 p.m.

Saturday highlights, tours, workshops, activity stations:

Wood Duck Project — Become a biologist for a day as you travel with the research crew for the Carson River wood duck research project; check nest boxes, marks duck eggs or band newly hatched ducklings as you learn about these secretive tree dwelling colorful ducks.

Sunrise, Sunset Canoe Float on the private Canvasback Duck Club — all gear provided as you take an easy float amongst the tules while searching for bitterns, egrets, Ibis,

Historic Haunts of Fallon — Enjoy city birding from a mule-drawn wagon as you discover the hidden history of Fallon.

Wetlands Loop — Join expert birders Jim Woods and Dave Jickling on a tour of the Carson Lake and pasture as you seek plovers, egrets, curlews, sandpipers and raptors including the Peregrine falcon.

Free exhibits, displays and seminars offered in the multipurpose building Saturday from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.

11:30 a.m. — Have lunch with a wood duck family as you watch their amazing life journey in this PBS/Nature HD film “An Original Duck-u-mentary”

1:30 p.m. — “Eye on Optics” — Visit with experts from Cabela’s to learn how to properly fit and use binoculars and scopes for young and aging eyes; see the latest in HD vision!

2:30 p.m. — Wild Craft; paint a bird house, make a nest supply store, decorate a Chirp Card, and more; families welcome.

4:30 p.m. — Join us for a very special presentation by Jenni Jeffers, Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist, as she introduces Valley Vultures (and meet a live turkey vulture to meet up close!)

Raffles and door prize drawings for bird feeders, garden and framed art, Vortex binoculars and more will conclude the weekend.