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
festivals
Wood Storks – Migratory Wading Birds at Tara
Have you seen a wood stork? Up until 2014, these wading birds were listed as an endangered species making them a rare bird to spot. Now they are considered threatened and are still an exciting bird to spot with their unique appearance and flight. You will find them in wetlands and cypress swamps. What Does a Wood Stork Look Like? These amazing birds with bald heads are around 3 feet long with a wing span of around 5 feet. That's a big bird! When in flight, they stretch their necks out and have their long legs extended behind them. Male and female wood storks look the same with the females being a bit smaller than the males. … [Read more...] about Wood Storks – Migratory Wading Birds at Tara
Canoe Trip on the Mississippi River to Willow Island
Canoe Trip at the Mississippi River Nature Weekend At this year’s Mississippi River Nature Weekend, you can see the beauty of the Mississippi River on a 2-3 hour canoe excursion with Quapaw Canoe Company. John Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company has been canoeing the lower Mississippi River for nearly 30 years. “It’s the most beautiful, wild, energizing, and refreshing place I’ve ever been,” says Ruskey. John recommends the early morning canoe trip as the best time to see wildlife along the Mississippi River. From deer to coyote, wading birds, songbirds and even river otters, you won’t be disappointed with nature’s … [Read more...] about Canoe Trip on the Mississippi River to Willow Island
The Spring Migration of Birds
The spring migration of birds has begun! This is the time of year that birds that have been overwintering in Central and South America begin to return to our area. In the Mississippi Flyway Tara is fortunate to be right along a principal route of the Mississippi Flyway, which is a migratory route for neotropical birds and waterfowl that follows along the Mississippi River. We get a front and center seat to watch spring migration. Around 326 bird species use the Mississippi Flyway each year. Forty percent of all migrating waterfowl in North American use the Mississippi Flyway. That’s a lot of birds flying north! Birds at … [Read more...] about The Spring Migration of Birds
Our Top 5 Spring Migratory Birds at Tara
Spring migration is underway and we wanted to share with you our personal top 5 migratory birds that can be found at Tara starting in March. If you’d like to experience the colors and sounds of spring migration birding, join us for the Tara Spring Outdoor & Birding Weekend, in early May. #1 Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) If you have ever seen this bird, there is no question why it’s our favorite. The male is a magnificent mixture of colors: vivid red, blue, green, and yellow. The bird looks as though it has painted with a paintbrush -- a little color here, a little color there. The females and immature birds are yellow-green in … [Read more...] about Our Top 5 Spring Migratory Birds at Tara
