The Wings Over Muscatatuck Migratory Bird Festival is planned for May 12 to 13, with an out-of-county field trip May 14.
Events kick off at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, 12985 E. U.S. 50, Seymour. Here is the schedule of events:
May 12
8 a.m. to noon: Guided birding trip on Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Advance registration is required and space is limited.
4 to 5 p.m.: Big tree walk (birds provided).
5:30 to 6: Dinner.
6:30 to 7:30: Bird photography by Bob Herndon.
8: Indiana frogs and toads.
9: Owl prowl.
May 13
7 a.m.: Morning muffins. Continental breakfast outside Visitor Center.
Morning: Bird banding.
8 to 10: Morning bird walk. Birders of all abilities are invited for an easy bird identification walk.
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Native plant sale. Held outside the Visitor Center.
8:30 to 10 a.m.: Birdhouse building for kids. Also, guided tour of Muscatatuck closed area (with pre-registration or day of event when available). Travel by van with a refuge guide to the closed area and other interesting birding spots. Bring binoculars.
9:30 to 11 a.m.: Hawks and eagles of Indiana with Indiana DNR staff. See live hawks and eagles who reside at Chamberlain Raptor Rehabilitation Center.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Paint the Wild Event with Southern Indiana Center for the Arts. Guided rock painting with all supplies provided. Fees apply. Also, children’s activities. Owl pellets, butterfly activities and wetland critters, obstacle course at Nature Discovery Area and children’s craft with the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce Environmental and Recycling Committee. Also, hover ball archery. Event open to all ages, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
10:30 a.m. to noon: Guided tour of Muscatatuck closed area (with pre-registration or day of event when available). Travel by van with a refuge guide to the closed area. Bring binoculars.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Bird cake walk.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Lunch.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Management tour of the refuge. Explore the hidden treasures of the refuge. Bring a lunch. Water provided. Advance registration required.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Bird puppet show. Area youth present a bird-themed puppet show.
12:30 to 1:15 p.m.: Junior Duck Stamp Awards Ceremony. Muscatatuck hosts and manages the Indiana Junior Duck Stamp conservation art contest for students in Grades K-12. State winners will receive their awards.
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Native plant garden walk. Meet at registration table.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Owls of Indiana. See and learn about Indiana’s owls with DNR staff.
2:30 to 4 p.m.: Guided tour of Muscatatuck closed area (with pre-registration or day of event when available).
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Guided tour of Muscatatuck closed area (with pre-registration or day of event when available).
May 14
8 a.m.-noon: Guided tour of Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, near Madison. Pre-registration required. Big Oaks, a 50,000 acre refuge is home to many uncommon birds and plants. Call 812-522-4352, ext. 12 to register. Trip will leave from Big Oaks office.
