St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

The Birds Are Back In Town

This weekend features celebrations of the St. Croix Flyway throughout the lower valley.

By Greg Seitz | May 6, 2015 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram
Tropical Wings logo

Tropical Wings logo

All across the world, billions of birds from 4,000 migratory species are completing their journeys north to summer breeding grounds. The most extreme example is the Arctic tern, which migrates between Antarctica and the Arctic each year, traveling up to 50,000 miles. In the St. Croix River region, some of the 200 species called neotropical migrants spend their summers here, and their winters in Costa Rica and other places close to the equator.

This ancient springtime ritual brings as much life and color to May as the flowers. Each year, International Migratory Bird Day celebrates this special season the second Saturday in May.

This weekend, the St. Croix River’s role as highway and habitat is the subject of several full-fledged festivals for our flying friends. It’s part of the second annual St. Croix Flyway Bird Migration Celebration, organized by the local citizen coalition called “Tropical Wings.”

Hands-on, family-friendly activities providing information and education about migratory birds are planned at a number of locations in the St. Croix Valley.  Many programs will be held in the morning and all locations will include a variety of activities.

“What better way to spend a Saturday morning than to take the kids to one of the great outdoor places in the St. Croix Valley to enjoy nature and birds?” Said Chris Stein, superintendent of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. “Hats off to our great partners for organizing this annual event heralding the return of our shared neotropical migratory birds with Latin America.”

Here’s what is happening:

The Phipps Center for the Arts

Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
109 Locust St. Hudson, WI 54016

The Bird Migration Celebration kick-offs at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson with a reception and program. The program features Ben Thwaits, a nature photographer who developed a nature photography program, “In a New Light” at Northwest Passage, a resident facility for emotionally troubled teens.

Warner Nature Center

Saturday, May 9th, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
15375 Norell Avenue North, Marine on St. Croix, MN

  • Welcome back the waves of migratory birds that arrive in the St. Croix Valley each spring
  • Take a guided bird hike on Warner’s trails
  • Observe bird banding close up
  • Participate in a migratory bird game throughout Warner’s Woods
  • Discover what you can do to help birds and to protect their diverse habitats
  • Become aware of local resources and projects that help our migratory birds thrive
  • Learn about Tropical Wings mission to support neo-tropical migrant birds in their two “homes”, here in the St. Croix Watershed and on the OSA Peninsula of Costa Rica.

Carpenter Nature Center, Wisconsin campus

Saturday, May 9th
300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI

  • 8 a.m. – Early morning bird walk with Kevin Smith (BYO binoculars)
  • 8 – 11 a.m. – Bird banding demonstrations
  • 9 a.m. – noon – Self-guided nature hikes, children’s activities, and welcome tent with information on birds and habitat
  • 11 a.m. – Guided nature hike and habitat talk by Jyneen Thatcher

Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center

Saturday, May 9th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
200 Monroe Street, Prescott, WI

  • Enjoy the StoryWalk “The Birdwatchers” by Simon James*
  • Guided walks from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Complete the ALL-NEW Great Rivers Confluence Junior Park Ranger Badge Activity!

Wild River State Park

Saturday, May 9th
39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN

  • 7:30 a.m. – Bird hike, leaves from the boat landing.
  • 8:30 a.m. – Presentation on the Costa Rican International Birding Festival and the Sister Park relationship between the two countries. Visitors center.
  • 9:30 a.m. – Introduction to Birding and Birding resources given by members of Minnesota Ornithological Union.
  • 10:30 a.m. – Dave Crawford, former naturalist at the Park, will give a talk on “Restore Habitat, Restore Birds: prairie restoration.”
  • 11:30 a.m. – St. Croix Camera Club will offer classes on nature photography (from SRL cameras to smart phones).
  • 7 p.m. – Program on Migratory Birds in the Amphitheatre.
  • All day – Photography display by nature photographer Ben Thwaits; kickoff for summer-long photography contest of migratory birds and their habitat.
  • More information…

Interstate State Park

Saturday, May 9th, 7 – 9 a.m.
State Highway 35, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Bird hike with biologist Robin Maercklein – Hike approximately two miles (one mile out and one mile back). This annual event has taken place on Saturdays in May for nearly 30 years.  During that time period more than 140 species have been observed.  Typically on this date we might observe more than 50 species with 62 being the record.

Related articles:

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Two inches and 6,000 gallons: A swollen century on the St. Croix River

Cold comfort

New preserve will let students, community, and anglers experience the Kinnickinnic River

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

Progress reported on effort to establish National Heritage Area for St. Croix River region

Afton State Park Phenology Feb. 19 to March 4, 2021

Spring is coming: Officials provide first St. Croix River flood forecast of season

Tax dollars work for water: Legacy Amendment funds will help protect St. Croix River

Watch: A guy’s goats keep him company while he swims the icy St. Croix

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.