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Ohio Valley Birding Festival--2025
Watch our
2025 OVBF video
(click video box to start/stop/repeat video)
Friday, April 25
Patoka River NWR Birding Hike
7:00 A.M. Meet at Boyd Woods on the Refuge
Oakland City, Indiana
Approximately 2-3 hours
Sturdy Shoes Recommended
Join us for a birding walk through Boyd Woods in search of warblers
and other migratory songbirds. We'll continue the hike past Snakey
Point Marsh for possible views of waterfowl and marsh birds, and end
at a little-visited portion of the Columbia Mine Preserve to look for
grassland sparrows.
Directions: East on SR 64 out of Oakland City one mile from SR 357 (Main Street) to CR 1275E (look for
refuge sign). Turn left and follow signs to Snakey Point Marsh and continue on to the parking lot on the left
at Boyd Woods (Maxey Marsh on the right).
Sora Rail Photo Credit: D L Batema
Howell Wetlands Birding Hike
5:00 P.M. Meet at Howell Wetlands Parking Lot
1400 Tekoppel Avenue
Evansville, Indiana
Approximately 2 hours
Accompany us on a search for early spring migrants, during a walk
through this restored wetland and grassland area on Evansville's West
Side. Expect to see warblers, vireos, thrushes and other migratory
songbirds as you walk the trails and boardwalks.
American Goldfinch (female)
Photo Credit: D L Batema
Saturday, April 26
Birding at Audubon Wetlands*
7:00 A.M. Meet at Audubon Wetlands
across from 790 Wolf Hills Road
Henderson, Kentucky
Approximately 2 hours
Wear shoes for marshy conditions
This recent wetland acquisition essentially doubles the size of Audubon State Park. Help us identify the bottomland forest birds that occupy this wetland including woodpeckers and several of the spring songbird migrants. This property is home to a heron rookery and an active bald eagle nest.
* Please note that this hike is dependent upon Ohio River flood stages. If water levels at Evansville surpass 32 feet, please meet at Audubon Park Museum for an alternate hike.
Boardwalk at Audubon Wetlands
Audubon's Bird Migration Walk*
9:00 A.M. Meet at Audubon Museum
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Approximately 1.5 hours
The Park's Beech-Maple forest is an urban oasis for woodland songbirds. In addition to the seven woodpecker species, several Neo-tropical migrants can be seen. Join us as we look for Eastern Bluebirds, Baltimore Orioles, Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Warblers, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Belted Kingfishers, Indigo Buntings, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos. New birders are welcome!
*Portions of this hike may be ADA accessible. Please ask your hike guide for information.
Prothonotary Warbler
Photo Credit: D L Batema
Family Birding Fun
10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Audubon Museum
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
--Stop by these educational booths:
Build a Better Nest: Have a look at bird nests from various species and attempt to build your own.
Binoculars 101: Learn how to use binoculars and test your birding skills at finding our hidden birds.
Be A Bird: Create a bird mask, so you can pretend to be a bird yourself!
Drawing Audubon Style: Watch our staff artist demonstrate the drawing technique of the famed John James Audubon, and try out your own artistic skills.
Birds & Beaks; Words & Wishes: Immerse yourself in the life of John James Audubon through the unique storytelling style of Harmony by Hand's Susan Fowler.
Upcycled Bird Feeders: Bring your own clean, dry, plastic soda bottle (16.9 oz, 1- liter, or 2-liter) and let the staff of Wild Birds Unlimited help you repurpose it into a functional bird feeder for hours of enjoyment at home. While supplies last....
This bird feeder activity is graciously supported by the Wild Birds Unlimited store at 5620 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, IN.
Audubon Museum-JJ Audubon State Park
Hands-on Bird Banding Workshop with
Master Bird Bander, Scott Kramer
10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Audubon Museum (behind the museum)
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Come help with an ongoing conservation project as we catch, identify, band, and release birds from the John James Audubon State Park. Bird banding helps us understand bird migration, behavior, social structure, lifespan, survival rates, and population trends. This is a great opportunity for seeing feathered friends up close and connecting with nature. So, bring your camera.
Bird Banding
"Planting Natives in Any Sized Plot or Pot"
presented by Sharon Sorenson
11:00 A.M. in the Audubon Museum
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Approximately one hour
When lightening destroyed the front yard's old oak tree, Sharon Sorenson re-landscaped with all native plants. She learned, however, that not all natives are created equal. Fortunately, her efforts ended well, significantly increasing birds and butterflies in the yard. But then she moved! There, with only a 10' x 12' patio for "gardening" she was forced to face the fact that many natives that grew beautifully in the yard would not work in pots. But which ones would? The ultimate results will surely make you smile and inspire you to launch your own native garden--no matter the size of your space.
Sharon Sorenson is an author and presenter who, along with her husband-photographer Charles, present delightful insights into the avian world. A handy reference, her recent book Planting Native to Attract Birds to Your Yard, along
with her two bird books, will be available for purchase.
Sharon Sorenson
"Bird Friendly Coffee and You"
presented by Greg DuBois
12:30 P.M. in the Audubon Museum
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Approximately 1 hour
Greg will share a brief history of coffee consumption and production, along with some shocking facts about the decline of migratory birds in North America. What's the connection? Discover the details through the Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee Program and you'll soon know what you can do to protect migratory birds. Hint: It is One Cup at a Time!
Greg DuBois is the program director for Will County Audubon, a chapter of Illinois Audubon. He is active in both organizations, and serves as a volunteer bird monitor for the US Forest Service at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie south of Joliet, IL and volunteers for the Bird Conservation Network. He is a grassroots proponent of Smithsonian Certified Bird Friendly Coffee.
Greg DuBois
"Raptors Wild!" Presented by the Talon Trust
2:00 P.M. Audubon Museum
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Donations to the Talon Trust will be accepted
Approximately one hour
Enjoy an interactive personal experience with live raptors! Volunteers from the Talon Trust, Inc. will share stories of birds that have been injured and can no longer survive in the wild, but now serve as ambassadors for their species.
The Talon Trust, Inc. is a local volunteer-based organization dedicated to the conservation of native raptors through rescue, rehabilitation, and education. All donations received by the Talon Trust go to help feed and care for injured raptors.
Lauren Norvell: Talon Trust
Owl Puke-Yuck! Or not?
3:00 P.M. Audubon Museum Nature Center
John James Audubon State Park
Henderson, Kentucky
Approximately 45 minutes
The thought of owl puke may seem disgusting at first, but wait
until you see what is inside that lump! These nocturnal hunters seek out all sorts of prey. Discover what critters the owls consider a tasty dinner when you dissect a sterilized owl pellet. You just may be amazed at what you find.
Owl Pellets
Sunday, April 27
Eagle Slough Natural Area Birding Hike
7:00 A.M. Meet at the Eagle Slough Entrance
on Waterworks Road, just north of Ellis Park
Evansville, Indiana
Approximately 2 hours
This local urban wetland was recently returned to its natural
state. Join us for an early morning birding walk through this
127-acre property. Expect to see a variety of warblers, thrushes, tanagers, vireos and wrens. Wood ducks and some late shorebirds are also likely. This is an easy, flat walk along an old railroad bed.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Photo Credit: D.L. Batema
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve Birding Hike*
1:00 PM Meet inside the Nature Center;
WWNP is at the back of Wesselman Park
551 N. Boeke Road
Evansville, Indiana
Approximately one hour
This old-growth forest sanctuary boasts many year-round bird species and provides unprecedented stopover habitat for Neo-tropical migrants passing through the area. Expect to see warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes and more.
* This hike is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sanctioned hike.
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve--Raptor Encounter
2:30 P.M. Meet at the stage near the raptor cages
WWNP is at the back of Wesselman Park
551 N. Boeke Road
Evansville, Indiana
Approximately 45 minutes
WWNP's Wildlife Curator/Educator, Elaine Kung, will introduce you to a resident raptor. Get an up-close look at this impressive bird of prey! Learn fun facts about raptor anatomy, diet, and their importance to our ecosystem.
Elaine Kung, WWNP Wildlife Curator
Sponsors for the 2025 Ohio Valley Birding Festival are the
Evansville Audubon Society, John James Audubon State Park, and Wild Birds Unlimited
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