Chirp for joy! Bluegrass Birding Festival returns with events for bird lovers of all ages

Meredith Howard
·3 min read

The Bluegrass Birding Festival returns this month for the first time since 2019, and attendees can enjoy bird walks, craft vendors, live birds of prey, music and more.

The free, family friendly event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29 at McConnell Springs Park in Lexington.

“Our goals for this festival are to expose as many as possible to the hobby of bird watching and to educate on topics of wildlife and conservation,” the festival website says.

Nic Patton, festival organizer, member of Central Kentucky Audubon Society and store manager at Wild Birds Unlimited, said he is looking forward to seeing people enjoy learning about birds at the first festival since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re really excited to get to do it again,” Patton said.

‘Blindingly gorgeous’ spring birds will migrate to KY soon. Your guide to spotting them

The festival will include several bird walks, talks and activities. Here’s the schedule of events:

Guided bird watching

  • 9:30 a.m.: Bird walk

  • 11 a.m.: City Nature Challenge

  • Noon: Children’s walk

  • 1:30 p.m.: Bird walk

  • 2:30 p.m.: Children’s walk

Talks

  • 9:30 a.m.: Save the Songbirds

  • 11 a.m.: Citizen Science

  • 1 p.m.: Those Amazing Hummingbirds

  • 2:30 p.m.: Saving the Monarch Butterfly: How you can help

Additional activities

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Live birds of prey with Liberty Nature Center

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Vendor area

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Children’s area (make your own bird feeder, bird identity match-up game and more)

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Live music from Custom Made Bluegrass

  • 11 a.m.: Olmeda’s Mexican Grill on Wheels

Here are the vendors you can check out at the 2023 Bluegrass Birding Festival:

  • Flora & Fauna Amor

  • The Burnpile Co.

  • Kristen B. Studio

  • Dorn Creative Glass

  • Designer Baskets by Derek

  • Art Cards with AJ

  • Wild Birds Unlimited

  • Sally Horowitz Nature Photography

  • Ironweed Native Plant Nursery

  • Worker Bee Sewing Co.

  • DBW Studio

  • Doc’s Wooden Toys

More birding events in Central Kentucky

The Central Kentucky Audubon Society has a variety of events on the calendar, including bird walks, lectures and more. Here’s what to check out:

City Nature Challenge: April 28 to May 1 in Fayette County

Residents of Lexington can participate in the City Nature Challenge by downloading the iNaturalist app and photographing wild plants, birds, amphibians and more.

“There are many wild plants, animals, fungi, and more to be found throughout Lexington. Together, we can discover, document, and share Lexington’s biodiversity!” the event description says.

An iNaturalist workshop event will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. April 22 at McConnell Springs Park for anyone who wants a quick tutorial on how to use the app. This event is free, but registration is required. You can contact Beverly James at bjames@floracliff.org with any questions.

Raven Run Bird Walk: Multiple events

This program explores birds at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Beginner and more experienced birders are welcome, and registration is required.

Bird walks are scheduled at Raven Run for 9 to 11 a.m. May 4, 5, 19 and 25.

Lexington Cemetery Bird Walk: May 7

The Central Kentucky Audubon Society will host a bird walk looking for spring migrants from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. May 7 at the Lexington Cemetery at 833 W. Main St. Those attending should meet near the Henry Clay Monument at 8 a.m.

Target species include:

  • Brown thrasher

  • Blue-gray gnatcatcher

  • Northern rough-winged swallow

  • Yellow-billed cuckoo

  • Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Hooded, Nashville, Blackburnian and Palm warblers

Do you have a question about wildlife in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.