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Weston, Mo. – Birds, such a simple word for creatures that fly, sing, strut and swim with amazing variety. Their natural history and the conservation that supports birds and all natural life will be celebrated at Wings Over Weston 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Weston Bend State Park in Platte County. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is a sponsor of the event along with Burroughs Audubon Society, Missouri State Parks, and other private and public partners.
Wings Over Weston is a festival for everyone. Kids craft, art and games will be offered. Guided bird hikes are among the more than 30 activities offered about birds, bird migration and the importance of habitat conservation. The guided hikes are in the forest at Weston Bend State Park, an important natural habitat for both resident and migrating birds. Missouri Master Naturalists will present exhibits about birds such as feathers, beaks and talons.
The festival offers a chance for a close-up look at birds. Operation Wildlife will have live birds rehabilitated from injuries on display and give presentations about them. Lakeside Nature Sanctuary staff will display a peregrine falcon. The Missouri River Bird Observatory crew will be using mist nets to capture wild songbirds, place leg bands on them for research and then release them.
Food, crafts and bluegrass music will also be part of the festivities. For information about the festival, visit wingsoverweston.com/. Weston Bend State Park offers camping, picnicking and hiking trails, see mostateparks.com/park/weston-bend-state-park for park information.
Spring is a lovely time to be afield in forests or prairies to see and hear birds. For MDC public lands near you, visit mdc.mo.gov/atlas. Information about Missouri birds is available at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/common-plants-and-animals/birds.
