North America’s only international bird festival is proud to announce the 7th Annual Birds on the Niagara. Birds on the Niagara 2024 (BON24) will be held from Friday, Feb. 16, through Monday Feb. 19.
BON24 celebrates winter birds in the Niagara region with free walks, presentations, and family friendly activities exploring "the intersections between birds, conservation, social justice, and inclusion," organizers said in a news release.
Programs are scheduled throughout the weekend all across the Niagara River Corridor for all ages, abilities, and interests, organizers added.
Birds on the Niagara is a not-for-profit event focused on collaborating with organizations, agencies, and individuals from both sides of the border and dedicated to promoting conservation and enjoyment of the Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area and the Ramsar wetland of International Significance.
In addition to the birds, the event features presentations on a variety of conservation issues and initiatives in the corridor including Niagara River habitat improvements, the conservation of nature and birds, and social justice contexts with programs focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion in birding.
The event kicks off on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with a Beers and Bird Trivia event at Counterpart Brewing in Niagara Falls Canada and at 6 p.m. with a Meet and Greet at Niagara Falls New York Sheraton.
The BON 24 Winter Bird Art Contest is being held throughout the weekend. Email Lisa Bacon at [email protected] for further information.
On Saturday, BON will host a series of free family friendly and advanced bird hikes lead by Marcie Jacklin and well known Ontario birder Jeremy Bensette staring at Dufferin Island. (Please note you will require a parking pass. Annual passes are available.)
On the U.S. side, presentations will be happening all day at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The evening program welcomes renowned bird illustrator and author David Allen Sibley to Buffalo. Tickets for the evening program must be purchased in advance.
Outdoor birdwatching opportunities are scheduled at several sites including Niagara Falls State Park, Beaver Island State Park, Buffalo Harbor State Park, and Fort Niagara State Park all weekend.
On Sunday, there will be a birding hike along the Niagara River shoreline in the morning featuring Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson and gull expert Missy Acker at Sir Adam Beck Overlook in the afternoon. On Sunday evening join us for a virtual visit to the Bird Kingdom. Programs will continue at the WNY Welcome Center.
On Monday, there will be an Open House at the Niagara Glen Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lots of fun activities and nature display tables from various organizations.
The feature event will be live birds of prey from the Canadian Raptor Conservancy. Join Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority staff, Niagara Parks Commission staff and Marcie Jacklin for a guided hike of a newly restored coastal and inland wetland along the Niagara River. There will also be walks along the river in the morning and afternoon.
For the updated schedule and registration info, visit the Birds on the Niagara website at http://www.birdniagara.org/canada-schedule.html
Learn more at www.birdniagara.org or https://www.facebook.com/BirdsOnTheNiagara
