Did you know? A bird's eye can be about 50% of its head size — as an equivalent, imagine if our eyes were the size of baseballs.
If this little tidbit intrigued you, make sure to mark your …
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Did you know? A bird's eye can be about 50% of its head size — as an equivalent, imagine if our eyes were the size of baseballs.
If this little tidbit intrigued you, make sure to mark your calendars for this year's Alabama Coastal BirdFest & Nature Expo.
As birdwatchers prepare for a milestone event, the South Alabama Land Trust (SALT) is gearing up to celebrate two decades of its premier Gulf Coast event, the John L. Borom Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest & Nature Expo.
In its 34-year history, this year will mark the 20th consecutive anniversary of the event.
BirdFest, a three-day event running Oct. 4-6, offers a range of birding and nature tours led by experts catering to all skill levels. Attendees can explore by foot, boat, kayak or bike and can also participate in new workshops on bird sketching and nature photography. Highlights include a special tour of SALT's Fish River Nature Preserve.
Registration for BirdFest opened on Aug. 5 and will continue through Sept. 23. With space limited, early registration is encouraged. For more details and to view the schedule, visit www.southalabamalandtrust.org/birdfest.
The Nature Expo, held on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, promises a family-friendly day of fun and learning. The expo features interactive displays, a "touch tank" with aquatic critters, games, a raptor demonstration and expert advice on protecting Gulf Coast natural resources.
SALT's mission to connect people with nature is evident in their work, as Chesley Allegri, chair of SALT's Board of Directors, noted.
"Getting outdoors is good for the mind, body and soul. SALT really wants to get people outdoors to experience the natural environment and to see first-hand the value of protecting habitats through land conservation," Allegri said in a news release.
Named in honor of its founder, the John L. Borom Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest & Nature Expo celebrates the vision of John Borom, who in 2004 sought to provide birders with opportunities to observe regional bird habitats and foster a respect for coastal Alabama's natural resources.
October's timing aligns perfectly with the annual trans-Gulf bird migration, drawing bird enthusiasts from across Alabama and beyond. Cortney Weatherby, coastal manager for Alabama Audubon, highlighted the festival's charm.
"I have learned a lot about the secret life of birds throughout my years of birding, but I have also learned to slow down and really embrace the subtleties of all nature around me," Weatherby said. "The cherry on top is the people I have met through it all who share a similar passion and enthusiasm for nature and helping steward it. The Alabama Coastal BirdFest provides easy access to prime birding opportunities, and it's a fun time!"
Since its founding in 1990, SALT has preserved over 11,000 acres across Baldwin and Mobile counties. This conservation effort includes critical habitats, coastal lands and scenic areas that define the beauty of coastal Alabama.
