EVENTS
Scroll down to see future and past (shown with dates crossed out) events from Delta Wind Birds. DWB also offers custom nature tours for small groups, including dawn “duck blind” visits to the private Four Winds Refuge in Humphreys County, MS, near Sky Lake. To inquire about rates and possibilities, please email us at dwindbirds@gmail.com.
For more excellent nature events in Mississippi, please visit the website of the Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp, who maintain Lee Tartt Nature Preserve in Grenada.
August Shorebird ID
Cullen Brown, with co-leader Duncan Fraser (Manomet), will lead three shorebird identification events in August: Field trips to Phillips Catfish Farms on August 23 and 30, and a shorebird ID presentation to Jackson Audubon on August 25. Click below for details.
DWB Research Webinar: Shorebirds & Farm Ecosystems
In this Zoom webinar featuring University of Mississippi (UM) scientists Jason Hoeksema and Jason Taylor, and UM Master’s graduate Emma Counce, you’ll see photos of the team (and the birds!) in action, hear a summary of key results to date from DWB’s on-farm research on migratory shorebirds and their habitat, and have a chance to ask questions of the scientists. Click through for the Zoom registration link, along with a gallery of research images.
Spring Nature Tour at Sky Lake
Please join us for part or all of this weekend-long series of outdoor events at Sky Lake. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired, but advance registration is required.
North Delta Winter Birding
Winter birding in the northern Mississippi Delta can be very exciting, with huge flocks of wintering geese (Snow, Ross's, Greater White-fronted) and other waterfowl and good chances for local winter specialties such as Sprague’s Pipit, Sandhill Crane, Lapland Longspur, Barn Owl, Brewer's Blackbird, and rare sub-species of Red-tailed Hawk. We’ll look for these species and more on this guided field trip. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Fall Birding & Natural History Tour: From shorebirds to ancient trees
Please join us for part or all of this free, guided field trip to the Sky Lake area, which includes multiple sites. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired. Please click on "View Event" for details and to register.
DWB Webinar (recording): Report from DWB Conference Scholarship Recipients Emma Counce & Norah Bruce
In this special webinar, Emma Counce & Norah Bruce recount their experiences attending the 2024 Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group meeting in New Brunswick, Canada, with the support of a scholarship from DWB. Click here to watch the recording.
Spring Weekend at Sky Lake
Please join us for part or all of this weekend-long series of outdoor events at Sky Lake. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired, but advance registration is required.
North Delta Winter Birding
Winter birding in the northern Mississippi Delta can be very exciting, with huge flocks of wintering geese (Snow, Ross's, Greater White-fronted) and other waterfowl and good chances for local winter specialties such as Sprague’s Pipit, Sandhill Crane, Lapland Longspur, Barn Owl, Brewer's Blackbird, and rare sub-species of Red-tailed Hawk. We’ll look for these species and more on this guided field trip. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Fall Birding & Natural History Tour: From shorebirds to ancient trees
Please join us for part or all of this free, guided field trip to the Sky Lake area, which includes multiple sites and an optional catered lunch. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired. Please click on "View Event" for details and to register.
North Delta Winter Birding
Winter birding in the northern Mississippi Delta can be very exciting, with huge flocks of wintering geese (Snow, Ross's, Greater White-fronted) and other waterfowl and good chances for local winter specialties such as Sandhill Crane, LeConte's Sparrow, Barn Owl, Brewer's Blackbird, and rare sub-species of Red-tailed Hawk. We’ll look for these species and more on this guided field trip. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Fall Sky Lake Birding & Nature Tour: From ancient trees to shorebirds
Please join us for part or all of this free, guided field trip to the Sky Lake area, which includes multiple sites and an optional catered lunch. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired. Please click here for details and to register.
Spring Weekend at Sky Lake
Please join us for part or all of this weekend-long series of outdoor events at Sky Lake. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired, but advance registration is required. Please click here for details and to register.
Winter birds and archaeology at the Jaketown Mounds
Join us February 11 for an exciting new event, in which participants will visit the renowned Jaketown Mounds site to learn about BOTH winter grassland birds AND the fascinating archaeology and history of native peoples who formerly inhabited the Sky Lake area. Please click here for details and to register.
Fall Sky Lake Nature Tour: From ancient trees to shorebirds
Please join us for part or all of this free, guided field trip to the Sky Lake area, which includes multiple sites and an optional catered lunch. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired. Please click here for details and to register.
Winter Grassland Birding and Sparrow Identification Workshop
In this outdoor workshop led by J.R. Rigby and other DWB team members, we’ll enjoy winter grassland birds, and we’ll focus on identification of sparrows. This subtle and beautiful group of birds can be difficult to identify, but we’ll help you focus on key characteristics, including unique vocalizations. You will also receive a take home quick ID guide for later use. Click HERE for more details and to register.
Nature Tour at Sky Lake
Please join us for part or all of this free, guided field trip to the Sky Lake area, which includes multiple sites and an optional catered lunch. Participants are welcome to come and go as desired. Please click here for details and to register.
Shorebird photography with Michael Sandoz, a DWB webinar
In this video webinar hosted by DWB board member Kristina Mitchell, we interviewed Michael Sandoz, a Mississippi Gulf Coast native and highly talented nature photographer. Using some of Michael’s best shorebird photos as examples, we talked to him all about his approach to shorebird photography, including strategy, technique, and equipment. Everyone from casual bird-lovers to serious nature photographers will enjoy this event. To watch a recording, please first make a donation (of any size), and then send us an e-mail (dwindbirds@gmail.com) to request the link to watch the recording.
Joint Field Day: Lee Tartt Nature Preserve and Sky Lake, co-hosted by Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp and Delta Wind Birds
Please join us for a full day of nature enjoyment in north Mississippi, highlighting some of our most special and lesser-known wetlands. The trip will be jointly led by Robin Whitfield and others from the Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp, and Jason Hoeksema and other members of the Delta Wind Birds team. We will be learning about all facets of natural history encountered, including plants, fungi, birds, and other animals.
Who are the wind birds? Part 2: Identification of fall migrating shorebirds (continued)
In this webinar, presented live via Zoom, we’ll complete our in-depth look at identification of shorebirds in fall, focusing especially on shorebirds migrating through Mississippi Delta region. In this continuation of Part 2, we’ll finish the medium-sized sandpipers, cover the peeps, and talk about Long-billed versus Short-billed Dowitcher. To view archived recordings of our shorebird ID presentations, please first make a donation of your choice to DWB using the button at the top right, and then send us an e-mail (dwindbirds@gmail.com) to request the links.
Who are the wind birds? Part 2: Identification of fall migrating shorebirds.
In this webinar, presented live via Zoom, we’ll go in-depth on identification of shorebirds in fall, focusing especially on shorebirds migrating through Mississippi Delta region. In this session, we will cover the basics of some common species, especially larger and medium-sized species, including some challenging groups such as the yellowlegs. We will emphasize the Mississippi Delta region, but there will be relevant content for anyone interested in these birds. To view archived recordings of our shorebird ID presentations, please first make a donation of your choice to DWB using the button at the top right, and then send us an e-mail (dwindbirds@gmail.com) to request the links.
Who are the wind birds? Part 1: Introduction to shorebirds and their conservation
This webinar will be presented live via Zoom and Facebook. In Part 1, we’ll introduce some of these beautiful characters and talk about their amazing migratory behavior, where and when to find them, and what can be done to help their declining populations. Please join us! We will emphasize the Mississippi Delta region, but there will be relevant content for anyone interested in these birds. To view archived recordings of our shorebird ID presentations, please first make a donation of your choice to DWB using the button at the top right, and then send us an e-mail (dwindbirds@gmail.com) to request the links.
Woodcocks & Wine Potluck
This fun event will take place at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center (SPAC) near Holly Springs. Participants should arrive between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. We’ll start with an indoor presentation about American Woodcock biology and shorebird conservation. Next we’ll head outside (wagon departing ~5:40 p.m.) to watch for the amazing courtship display of male American Woodcocks. Finally, we’ll return to the Visitor’s Center for a potluck dinner (optional, but highly encouraged) and heart-warming beverages (BYOB/BYOW). Cost is $20/person (students free!), in advance or at the door.
Bird Bash at Oxford Treehouse Gallery
This evening fundraising event at the beautiful Oxford Treehouse Gallery will feature a wide variety of art at the gallery, live music, dinner & drinks, silent auction, and updates on local bird conservation efforts. Cost is $40/person, and advance registration is required. All proceeds will support DWB’s efforts to foster habitat for migratory birds in the Mississippi Delta.