Bird show flocks to Convention Hall

Written by Staff Reports Thursday, October 25, 2012 04:00 pm

CAPE MAY – The 66th Cape May Autumn Bird Festival will flock to Cape May Convention Hall from Oct. 26-28.

The Cape May Autumn Birding Festival is the nation's oldest. The New Jersey Audubon Society, which hosts the festival, specializes in introducing people to the great natural history of the Garden State.

Convention Hall will be filled with exhibitors featuring fine artisans, crafters, nature gifts, hand crafted birdhouses, ecotour groups, binocular and optics companies, and David Sibley, artist and author of the Sibley Guide to Birds and co-author of “Hawks in Flight.” Sibley will have some of his art work available for sale at Convention Hall. 

You can get close looks at live owls, eagles and hawks with Jonathan Wood of the Raptor Project. Kids can go on a treasure hunt and win prizes

"There will be tens of thousands of birds if migratory conditions are marginal," said Sheila Lego, New Jersey Audubon's festival organizer. "Millions of birds if a cold front pushes through. The festival is timed to coincide with the peak of autumn migration, and Cape May is the most famous birding location in North America."

For the adventurous, there will be creepy, crawly things, or you can get your picture with a live wolf.

There will be a silent auction with artwork, binoculars, gifts and more. Bidding begins at noon on Friday, Oct. 26 and ends at noon on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Admission to Convention Hall is $5 at the door ($2 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under are admitted free). All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Convention Hall will be open Friday from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can register for festival activities including field trips, indoor lectures, programs, demonstrations, boat trips and more.

The theme for the festival is “Hawks in Flight,” celebrating the second edition of Pete Dunne, David Sibley and Clay Sutton's book, which was inspired by Cape May's celebrated hawk migration. Festival-goers can see hundreds of migrating hawks, possibly 14 species, including the Golden Eagle.

Other speakers include Kevin Karlson, showcasing his new book, “Visions: Earth's Elements in Bird and Nature Photography,” author and lecturer John Kricher, Michael O'Brien, and Bill Boyle.

For information, call the Cape May Bird Observatory at 884-2736, ext. 12 or visit www.birdcapemay.org.