This year’s event will feature dozens of field trips, indoor programs, workshops, keynote speaker, and a dinner. You can expect many of the same things that have made this festival one of the best in the Midwest—great birds, beautiful destinations, expert trip leaders, and time spent in nature with old and new friends alike.

Schedule:

Friday, May 23 – Morning
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23. Birding at Bark Bay (FT-3)
6:15 am – 11:30 am
This two-part trip will feature visits to Bark Bay Slough State Natural Area and nearby Bark Point. Bark Bay Slough SNA is an exceptional coastal wetland hosting a wide variety of birds. Bark Point is a peninsula of land jutting into Lake Superior and can sometimes host spectacular concentrations of migrant landbirds, including a great diversity of warbler species. You never know what you might find here. If time allows, we’ll venture to the Herbster or Cornucopia lakefronts for some additional birding.

Optional: Meet at the Bark Bay canoe launch at 7:00 am.

24. Sea Caves Nature Hike (FT-4)
6:15 am – 11:30 am
National Park Service Biologist Peggy Burkman will lead participants on this rugged trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Look for warblers, woodpeckers, and other birds amid beautiful birch and fir forests ultimately leading to spectacular views of sandstone cliffs and caves along Lake Superior.

Optional: Meet at the Lakeshore’s Meyers Beach parking lot at 7:00 am.

*Note: 4-5 miles roundtrip with some steep ravines and mud.

Additional Cost: Parking $5/car

25. Birds of Morgan Falls & St. Peter’s Dome (FT-4)
6:30 am – 11:30 am
Hike through a beautiful northern hardwood forest to the lush, scenic cascades of Morgan Falls with retired DNR Forest Ecologist Colleen Matula. Watch for Blackthroated Blue, Black-throated Green, Mourning, and other warblers, as well as vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and other forest species. If time allows, we’ll continue farther on trail toward St. Peter’s Dome, yielding a 4-mile round trip hike. Also expect a diverse plant community including wildflowers such as Spring Beauty, Wild Ginger, Bloodroot, Dutchman’s Breeches, and more.

Optional: Meet leader at Morgan Falls parking lot at 7:00 am.

26. Birding Bayfield’s Big Ravine (FT-4)
6:45 am – 11:00 am
The 250-acre Big Ravine Preserve is a natural gem in the heart of Bayfield defined by 1.5 miles of a deep ravine and the stream that runs through it. We will follow the Gil Larsen trail a half mile along the stream with views of the Old Iron Bridge, waterfalls, and towering tree covered slopes. Then we’ll climb the Pine Bluff spur trail to the ravine's East Rim and hike along the rim back to the trailhead, along the way looking for warblers, vireos, thrushes, and other forest birds. Be prepared for four stream crossings and a gradual yet steep climb to the rim of the ravine.

Optional: Meet at trailhead parking lot in Bayfield on Washington Ave. opposite Broad St. by 7:15 am.

Additional Cost: Parking $10/car (or free on adjacent streets)

27. A Bird in the Hand... (FT-2)
7:00 am – 11:00 am
In this free activity, any festival registrant can come and go as they please within the listed timeframe to experience the wonders of bird banding from expert researchers. Marvel at the beauty of warblers, sparrows, finches, and other birds up close and personal – an unforgettable experience for all ages. Learn identification features, natural history, and research techniques as leaders demonstrate the how’s and why’s of bird banding. If you want to see birds up close, then this is the trip for you!

28. Grassland Birding (FT-2)
7:00 am – 11:00 am
The northwoods typically don’t conjure up thoughts of grassland birds but the rural areas of Ashland feature a variety of open habitats where Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers, Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, Northern Harriers, and other grassland birds can be found. WDNR Conservation Biologist Nick Anich guides you in search of these open-country species.

29. Discovering Caroline Lake State Natural Area (FT-3)
7:00 am – 11:30 am
Sitting at the headwaters of the Bad River, Caroline Lake is an undeveloped lake with a diverse mix of high-quality plant communities. Matt Dallman, Director of Conservation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will share the story behind this important conservation effort and lead you on a beautiful hike in search of loons, eagles, ospreys, warblers, and other northwoods species. Learn about TNC’s climate change forestry work and potential impacts of iron mining on this site.

Optional: Meet at Gilman Park in Mellen at 7:30 am.

30. Birding by the Bay – Washburn (FT-2)
7:30 am – 11:00 am
Local birding expert Rick Burkman will lead participants to multiple lakeshore points in and near Washburn to search for waterfowl, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Interspersed will be short hikes along shoreline trails to find warblers, orioles, sparrows, and other migrating landbirds. Bring a spotting scope if you have one.

31. A Bird in the Hand... (FT-2)
7:30 am – 11:30 am
In this free activity, any festival registrant can come and go as they please within the listed timeframe to experience the wonders of bird banding from expert researchers. Marvel at the beauty of warblers, sparrows, finches, and other birds up close and personal – an unforgettable experience for all ages. Learn identification features, natural history, and research techniques as leaders demonstrate the how’s and why’s of bird banding. If you want to see birds up close, then this is the trip for you!

Friday, May 23 – Afternoon
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32. Hiking the Jerry Jolly Trail (FT-3)
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The Jerry J. Jolly Trail is an extensive trail system meandering throughout the beautiful woodlands of the Bayfield Peninsula and Pikes Creek. Search for thrushes, warblers, Winter Wrens, and other forest birds on this scenic northwoods excursion with local expert, Neil Howk.

*Note: Be prepared for short bouts of hilly terrain.

Optional: Meet at Les Voigt Fish Hatchery at 1:00 pm to carpool to trailhead, or meet directly at trailhead at 1:15 pm.

33. Nature Hike to Lost Creek Falls (FT-4)
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Venture through meandering woodland trails lined with aspen, fir, and towering pine en route to the remote, serene, and scenic Lost Creek Falls near Cornucopia. Enjoy birds, flowers, and other jewels of nature in one of the region’s most beautiful settings. *Note: Round trip hike around 3 miles; sturdy, waterproof footwear for rugged terrain recommended.

Optional: Meet at Lost Creek Falls parking lot at the end of Trail Road at 1:00 pm.

34. Paddling Lower Chequamegon Bay (FT-3)
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Take a guided kayak tour along Lake Superior’s coast to explore the shallow, near-shore waters of Fish Creek and Whittlesey Creek Estuaries. Look for ducks, shorebirds, and other waterbirds while learning what makes lower Chequamegon Bay special for fish, birds, and other wildlife. EQUIPMENT NOT PROVIDED: Participants should have their own equipment and basic paddling skills.

35. Plants of Bogs & Barrens (FT-2)
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Understanding that geology drives ecology helps us understand the plants that grow in bogs and barrens, sometimes side-by-side and yet in very different habitats. Join Conservation Specialist Quita Sheehan in exploring the geology and ecology of the pitted outwash-dominated Moquah Pine Barrens. We’ll look at the formation of the kettles and potholes in the area and identify some of the hard-working plants that make a living in such difficult environments. Knee-high water-proof boots are recommended but not required.

36. Birding by the Bay – Ashland (FT-2)
1:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Local birding expert Tim Oksiuta will lead participants to multiple lakeshore points near Ashland to search for waterfowl, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Interspersed may be short hikes along shoreline trails to find warblers, orioles, sparrows, and other migrating landbirds. Bring a spotting scope if you have one.

37. Birding by the Bay – Washburn (FT-2)
1:15 pm – 4:30 pm
WDNR Conservation Biologist Nick Anich will lead participants to multiple lakeshore points in and near Washburn to search for waterfowl, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Interspersed will be short hikes along shoreline trails to find warblers, orioles, sparrows, and other migrating landbirds. Bring a spotting scope if you have one.

38. Spiders of the Northwoods (Indoor Program)
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Spiders are some of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Join Larry Weber, author of the popular field guide Spiders of the North Woods, on a wild ride through the wonderful world of this amazing and diverse group of organisms. Scared of spiders? Find out why you shouldn’t be! Following the presentation, expect a short walk around the visitor center building in search of spring spiders, if weather allows.

39. Woodworking for Wildlife - Bluebirds (Indoor Program)
1:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Eastern bluebirds are a great conservation success story, and much of that can be attributed to artificial nest boxes deployed around the country. Join the movement by building your own bluebird house to take home with you. All materials provided, including instructions for monitoring and maintenance. Learn how the bluebird movement started, best locations for a box, types of boxes, and other tips for bluebird success from experts, Rich and Carol Becker.

Additional cost: $8

40. Birds: Little People with Feathers (Indoor Program)
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
They start fires, corral prey, mourn their dead, and plant forests. Sounds a lot like us, right? Sit back and relax with local birding expert Rick Burkman to discover the fascinating things birds do, why they are important, and just how similar they are to humans.

Friday, May 23 – Evening
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*All Friday evening activities will take place two miles south of Ashland at The Gathering Barn, 50467 State Hwy 13.

41. Silent Auction & Social
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join us at The Gathering Barn to relax with fellow participants and share stories, birding tips, & adventures of the day. Sip your favorite beverage from the cash bar and enjoy a spectacular silent auction sponsored by Chequamegon Audubon. A perfect finale to your busy day of birding!

42. Dinner Banquet
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate the evening with the companionship of fellow birders at The Gathering Barn. Dinner will feature a mouth-watering buffet of broiled cod, roast beef, baked chicken with stuffing, real mashed potatoes with gravy, wild rice pilaf, honey glazed carrots, tossed salad, and dessert.

Additional Cost: $25/person, plus optional cash bar

43. Sightings of the Day & Welcome
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Discover the festival’s most exciting finds so far and the stories behind them as we gather, fittingly, at The Gathering Barn to tally a master checklist of birds seen during the festival. A popular, can’t-miss event! We’ll also settle in for the evening’s keynote presentation immediately following.

44. KEYNOTE PRESENTATION – Rare Bird Alert: Counting Down the Ten Best Birds in 50
Years of Chequamegon Bay Birding
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The Chequamegon Bay area has been known for decades as one of the state’s great birding destinations. In recent years, however, sightings of several very rare birds have elevated its profile among the state and regional birdwatching community. In this presentation, WDNR Conservation Biologist – and familiar face of the festival – Ryan Brady will recap many of the exciting finds here from years near and far. Why are so many rare birds seen here? Have there been more than usual lately? How do they get here? Ryan will untangle the mysteries of these wayward wanderers and along the way offer his list of the Top Ten Rarest Birds ever recorded in Ashland and Bayfield counties.

Additional Cost: $10

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