SPORTS + OUTDOORS

The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council is pleased to host this 8th Annual Galveston FeatherFest during the avian spring migration. The historic City of Galveston is the premier location for fabulous birding on and close to, fabled Galveston Island.  April 8 through April 11, 2010.

It’s no wonder birders, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to FeatherFest, Galveston Island’s annual nature festival. From April 8 through 11, novice and expert outdoor lovers of all ages will enjoy unforgettable adventures amid more than 200 species of birds, many of which are passing through on their northward spring migration.

FeatherFest offers nature excursions by bus, boat or kayak to a variety of habitats, from beaches to bays, bay marshes to wetlands, and coastal prairies to upland wood mottes. Photo Fest, a dynamic track of photography field trips and workshops on April 9 and 10, is a new festival offering for those looking for programs led by professional photography instructors. Camera buffs will set their sights on colonies of nesting birds, birds in flight and birds at sunset.

Trips to world-renowned close-by birding hot spots like Bolivar Flats and High Island are on the festival’s itinerary for both birders and photographers. Four birding trips to North Deer Island are also included. North Deer Island - the recent recipient of the prestigious Coastal America Partnership Award for its shoreline restoration project - hosts up to 30,000 pairs of nesting birds, making it the most productive waterbird rookery on the Texas Coast.

Galveston is one of the top locations in the country for birding because it hosts a wide variety of habitats in a small geographical area where some 300 species make their permanent or temporary home throughout the year. The Island also sits astride the 95th meridian, the dead center of trans-Gulf migration routes.

Click here to read about Field Trips.

Click here to read about Workshops.

Don’t Miss Birders’ Bazaar Trade Show – Free and Open to the Public
Thursday/April 8, Noon – 4:30 p.m.
Friday/April 9 & Saturday/April 10, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday/April 11, 9:30 a.m. – Noon

Raptors Revealed! See Live Birds of Prey Shows on The Strand:

Migrating birds won’t be the only wildlife attracting visitors to Galveston FeatherFest the second weekend in April. Live birds of prey will be showcased in free programs April 9 – 11 in Saengerfest Park, downtown at 23rd and The Strand.

Hawks, owls, falcons and vultures are among the raptors that will be featured in a free-flight presentation that will leave you thrilled and amazed. Learn about the natural history of these incredible birds and their unique traits and abilities. Watch them demonstrate their hunting styles right above your head!

The raptors in this program are trained and cared for by Kevin Gaines and the Sky Kings Falconry team, which is dedicated to education and wildlife preservation.

Free Raptor Show Times
23rd and The Strand

Friday, April 9 - Noon, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 – 10 a.m., Noon, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 11 – 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

At The Grand Kids Festival Saturday, April 10, Stage A – 1:30 p.m.

New Headquarters Location - FeatherFest Headquarters will be in the Butterowe Building, and the main entrance is just north of/across the street from Saengerfest Park, 23rd and The Strand in downtown Galveston. The physical address is 2313 Harborside Drive, where you will find a back door. Festival registration, Birders’ Bazaar, Birders’ Snack Bar and more will be in the Butterowe Building. Field trips will leave from Saengerfest Park, and workshops will be held at nearby Old Galveston Square on The Strand.

FeatherFest is a project of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, which supports eco-tourism and education, and promotes the value of area natural habitats. For more information, visit www.GalvestonFeatherFest.com  or call 409.392.0841

Click here for a detailed schedule of events.