The states in the southern U.S. are in the Mississippi, Central, or Atlantic flyway of migrating birds, providing great opportunities to view migratory and nonmigratory birds throughout the year. Read through the list below to see what annual festivals are held in your state and maybe you'll get to see some birds on your life list, meet other birders, or just brush up on your bird identification skills. SELECT A STATE TO VIEW FESTIVALS Select from the list of states below to see the birding festivals in that state Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North … [Read more...] about List of Birding Festivals in the South
Bird Watching
Tara Wildlife as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for Bird Conservation
The National Audubon Society partners with Bird Life International to identify, monitor, and protect the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the United States. Tara Wildlife has been designated as an IBA, the only privately owned IBA in Mississippi, since the assessment in 2008 (http://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/tara-wildlife-inc). Important Bird Areas are selected based on the criteria set out by Bird Life International, which began the designation in the late 1970’s. An IBA is “of greatest significance for the conservation of the world’s birds” (http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programmes/sites-habitats-ibas-and-kbas). Bird … [Read more...] about Tara Wildlife as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for Bird Conservation
10 Nature Festivals in Mississippi You Won’t Want to Miss
If you love being outdoors - watching wildlife, native plants, or enjoying some outdoor recreation, then Mississippi's outdoor nature festivals are for you. Mississippi has abundant native wildlife and plants, lots of places to hike or canoe, and so much to explore. From one of the top-rated birding festivals to a festival that celebrates the longest free-flowing river in the U.S., you can find a great nature and wildlife festival to visit. Pick a month below to see those events and festivals. APRIL NATURE FESTIVALS NatureFEST! LOCATION:Mississippi Museum of Natural ScienceJackson, MS DATE:The first Saturday of … [Read more...] about 10 Nature Festivals in Mississippi You Won’t Want to Miss
10 Gripping Great Horned Owl Facts
The Great Horned Owl is an amazing, adaptable bird. They are nocturnal, sitting high up on a roost to spot their prey. Once they've spotted their target, they quickly fly after it without making a sound. They are so adept at moving silently, you might not get to see one; but I bet you have heard their hooting. They have a distinctive call that you might hear in habitat all over the U.S. Click to hear the hoots of a Great Horned Owl. We got the chance to see this beautiful bird up close during the educational presentation Freedom Ranch Outreach folks at the Mississippi River Nature Weekend. We've put together … [Read more...] about 10 Gripping Great Horned Owl Facts
Join in the Fun of a National Bird Count
Yesterday as we began our morning, the sound of birds singing really punctuated the air. Robins, cardinals, mockingbirds, and wrens were singing their little hearts out. Spring migration is just around the corner and they will soon be joined with those brightly colored migratory songbirds traveling north as the weather warms. If you enjoy seeing birds – either at your backyard bird feeder or if you are a novice or expert birdwatcher – you can join in on a national count of birds this February. Everyone can participate, whether you spend 15 minutes counting in your backyard or you count birds in multiple locations on different days, all of … [Read more...] about Join in the Fun of a National Bird Count
Northern Mockingbird: The Bird of Many Songs
The state bird of Mississippi is an amazing vocalist. It can mimic the calls of almost any bird and has been known to mimic frog calls and other sounds. A male mockingbird may learn as many as 200 different songs in its lifetime. Have you ever been dive-bombed by a mockingbird? I’ve seen it happen to an unsuspecting passerby who ventured too close to a nest. These small birds will aggressively defend their territory and nests. They will attack people, cats, larger birds, and pretty much anything that gets too close. See these mockingbirds try to chase away a hawk: North mockingbirds mate for life, producing 2 to 4 broods of 2 to … [Read more...] about Northern Mockingbird: The Bird of Many Songs
