St. Croix Flyway Bird Migration Celebration – May 8 and 9

Learn more about the waves of migratory birds passing through the St. Croix Valley each spring by joining in the International Bird Migration Celebration May 8 and 9.  Events are planned at a variety of locations along the St. Croix Flyway the 8th and 9th, and throughout the summer.  A lead up event “Poets on the Wild Side” will be held at the Watershed Cafe in Osceola on Wednesday evening, May 6.

 Friday May 8

The Bird Migration Celebration kick-offs at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson with a reception and program.  The program featuring Ben Thwaits begins at 7 p.m.  Ben is a nature photographer who developed a nature photographer program, “In a New Light” at Northwest Passage, a resident facility for emotionally troubled teens. He traveled to Costa Rica this January with two alumni from NWP. 

5:30 pm – 7 pm: Reception and silent auction to raise funds for Tropical Wings.  Refreshments provided by Hudson High School students for donations to support their trip to Costa Rica.

7 pm: Program featuring Ben Thwaits, leader of the "In a New Light" photography program at Northwest passage; readings by Tropical Wings poetry contest winners; performance of an original song by RiverCrest Elementary students.

 Saturday, May 9

 Hands-on, family friendly activities providing information and education about migratory birds are planned at a number of locations in the St. Croix Valley.  Activities will be held in the morning.  All locations will also include a variety of activities.

 The reception and program on Friday and The St. Croix Flyway Bird Migration Celebration activities are sponsored by Tropical Wings, a group of citizens supporting the Sister Park partnership between 14 US national parks of the Upper Midwest and 7 parks and protected areas of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.  The Costa Rican parks and partners held the 2nd annual bird celebration in March, as birds were beginning their migration north.  This is Tropical Wings’ 2nd bird celebration in the St. Croix Valley. 

 Watch for more details and visit www.artbenchtrail.org/events/tropicalwings as information becomes available.