2-4: Feathers In Flight: Missouri is fortunate to have more than 400 different documented species of birds. In addition, over 150 species regularly nest in Missouri while others migrate between nesting grounds to the north and wintering grounds to the south. This makes spring the perfect bird watching time and a great way to enjoy the Missouri outdoors. The Feathers in Flight bird festival is a fun way to support conservation awareness and education.

2-4: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival: Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed in Grays Harbor estuary on their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world's greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! Tens of thousands of shorebirds feed on the open mudflats in the estuary. This concentration of birds offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species, and with luck, to see the birds fly together in beautiful formations while trying to escape the fastest creature on earth, the Peregrine Falcon.

8-11: Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival: Tours, lectures, bird art show, keynote dinner speaker with Donald Bruning. Overnights to see the CA Condors, Bosque del Apache, Camping on the Ute Tribal Park. Horseback birding, wild horses, Lucy's warbler tour and more.

9-11: Festival of the Birds at Presque Isle: Enjoy the height of spring migration at Presque Isle State Park, a natural concentration point along the Atlantic flyway where 320 species of birds have been recorded. Take part in workshops and field trips geared for the beginner and the seasoned naturalist led by experts in the field such as Ted Floyd, Jerry McWilliams and Jen Brumfield. Attend the premiere of a film highlighting the birds, habitat and hot spots of Presque Isle in all seasons. Experience the rich variety of Presque Isle’s six distinct ecological zones including beaches, cattail islands, shrublands, aquatic habitats, and deciduous and pine tree forests.

10: Celebrate IMBD with Audubon Arkansas: We will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10th with a field trip to Allsopp and Murray Parks, and Terry Lock & Dam. Both parks have great habitat for spring migrants. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the lower entrance to Allsopp Park. To get there from west Little Rock, take Cantrell Road to Cedar Hill Road. Turn right at the traffic light, go about 1 block and turn right into the park. We will meet at the far end of the parking lot, closest to the trail. From Allsopp, we will travel to nearby Murray Park. Afterwards, we will meet for lunch at Whole Hog Cafe, located at 2516 Cantrell Road. For those who wish to continue birding after lunch, we will go on to Terry Lock & Dam. Our target bird there will be Painted Bunting. All birders are welcome. For more information contact Karen Holliday at karenh@arkleg.state.ar.us

10: Celebrate IMBD: Birding and Canoeing: 7:30-11:30 AM, Main Building, General admission: $20/$12, Members: $15/$8, Ages 12 and up. Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day cruisin' Pickering Creek via canoe. You will learn some basic paddling and bird watching skills. Then we will head out to catch a glimpse of the early rising migratory fowl. Registration ends May 7, 2008.

10-13: Celebrate Urban Birds: More than 100 organizations are expected to host special events as part of "Celebrate Urban Birds," including schools, public gardens, nature centers, museums, and parks, all of which are part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Urban Birds Studies project . While supplies last, those who sign up early will receive a Celebration Kit in English and Spanish along with a colorful urban birds poster, educational materials about birds and urban greening, data forms, and a packet of sunflower seeds to plant in pots and gardens.

May 12: Olympic Peninsula BirdFestJoin Dungeness River Audubon Center for the fifth annual Olympic Peninsula BirdFest, a great time celebrating the birds and natural history of our unique area. Please visit www.olympicbirdfest.org website for information and registration.

15-19: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival: Welcome to the 10th Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. It is a great accomplishment to reach the 10th anniversary of the festival. This reflects the hard work of many dedicated volunteers, partners and sponsors who believe in spotlighting and sharing the wonders of Great Salt Lake. We have come a long way from offering eight field trips in 1999, to sixty-three field trips in 2008. These field trips cover the best bird watching in northern Utah and each trip is guided by local bird watching experts. The keynote speaker for the festival this year will be Bruce Thompson, a natural science education specialist and Director of Education for Tracy Aviary. For more info and to register, go to the website at www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com.

17: Project Puffin & Cornell celebrate IMBD: Audubon's Seabird Restoration Program/Project Puffin (located in Maine during the summer, but also with winter offices in Ithaca, NY at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) will be participating in the Lab of Ornithology's IMBD Festival, to be held at the Lab on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 3pm. Many activities and information booths are being planned.

17: 11th Annual Birder's Breakfast: Join members of the VA Beach Chapter at an early morning walk (5:45 AM) to identify Birds on the Atlantic Coastal plain. Then settle into a Gourmet Breakfast at the Country Club for a review of our sitings and general discussion of birding. A fun filled morning with rougly 35 to 45 species identified each year. Email Bob to receive a flyer.

23-26: Down East Spring Birding Festival: Join us in the Cobscook Bay area of Down East Maine for a special birding experience during spring migration and the breeding season. You'll have a wealth of opportunities to see many bird species in their special habitats. The Annual Down East Spring Birding Festival provides a unique experience in "the real Maine" where birders can get out on their own and observe a great variety of birds in diverse natural environments. The festival offers birders various self-guided explorations as well as guided hikes, boat tours, and presentations led by area experts. Maps and information will be provided for a fulfilling birding experience.

June

6-8: 2008 Montana Bird Festival: Montana Audubon, in conjunction with Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society, will hold our annual bird festival in Billings June 6 - 8 at Rocky Mountain College. The festival will celebrate the tremendous variety of birds that are found in central Montana’s stream and river bottoms, mountain forests, prairies, and wetlands. Field trips to surrounding areas will include various parks along the Yellowstone River, Pryor Mountains, Pompey's Pillar, Yellowstone River, Audubon's Conservation Education Center, and more. Children are welcome and encouraged to participate (binoculars and guide books provided). Other workshops, such as Beginning Birding, will be offered.

12-15: Sullys Hill Bird Festival: The Sullys Hill Birding & Nature Festival offers enjoyable educational programs, presentations, workshops, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Come join us for great fun for the entire family. All events are free. Nominal charge for concessions.

14 & 15: Bernheim's Audubon in Kentucky Bicentennial: Audubon Bicentennial Festival: Meet up with “Audubon” and “Lehman” at their Bernheim base camp. Try your hand at illustrating, go birding, enjoy dinner and learn about the explorations of these historical figures and visit with local environmental and natural history organizations. This fun packed day will provide you a better understanding of our rich natural heritage. Visit the online calendar for more details on these and other events.

17-21: Joy of Birding at Hog Island Audubon Center: Be among the first to see Atlantic puffins in Maine in 2008, as you immerse yourself in the many pleasures of bird watching on the outstanding Maine coast. Hosting your adventure will be the husband- and-wife team of Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, and Julie Zickefoose—the same Julie Z. whose lively commentaries you hear on public radio. Date: June 17-21 Price: $725.

20-21: Burke County Birding Festival: Guided birding tours, prairie wildflower walks, family events and food. Lostwood NWR is a Globally Important Bird Area providing habitat for Baird's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit and the Piping Plover. Events are free, but to plan for guides and food pre-registration is requested.

20-21: Lost in Birding: Explore the Golobally Important Bird Area on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge with guided tours each day, presentations on Piping Plover Recovery and Bird Spotting, as well as a guided prairie wildflower and grasses walk. This is the place to be for Baird's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, Piping Plover and Grasshopper Sparrow.