[mou] Sept 27-28 event

[Jim Williams]

Minnesota Birders:
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Following is the schedule of the excellent and extensive activities at this
years HawkWatch at Effigy Mounds National Monument in scenic Allamakee Co.
in Northeast Iowa (located on Mississippi River Blufflands, about 35 miles
south of Minnesota border).
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There's an introductory program this Friday evening, Sept. 26th; and then a
full array of indoor and outdoor programs and activities on Saturday and
Sunday, Sept. 27th and 28th. Check out all there is to do and enjoy below.
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Ric Zarwell
Lansing, IA
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Final Schedule for HawkWatch 2003

Friday Evening at 7:00pm < Bald Eagles - Masters of the Sky
Effigy Mounds National Monument visitors center - Kay Neumann, Presenter

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Saturday, September 27th

Live Bird Area < Kay Neumann of SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources), will hav=
e
several birds on display including a Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and an
American Kestrel throughout the weekend.  The Live Bird Area will be
directly in front of the visitors center.

8:00am    Bird Walk < Dennis Carter, of the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, wil=
l
lead a hike to look for fall migrating birds including warblers, and other
songbirds, and any waterbirds we can drum up.  The hike will last up to
three hours.  (Meet at the visitor center)

8:30am    Effigy Mounds Film  < This is a wonderful 15 minute introduction
to the history of the Monument and the Indian burial mounds.  A great way t=
o
get you ready for your afternoon hike!    (Indoor Auditorium)

9:00am    Film - Raptors of the World with Morley Nelson - The film guides
you through an intimate portrait of the power and beauty of North America=8Fs
hawks, eagles and falcons.  Experience raptor sighting techniques, quick
clue identification and rare behavior.   (Indoor Auditorium)

10:00am    Mystery of Migration < Mike Havlik will introduce the beginning
of HawkWatch and the wonders of migration, and take a closer look at raptor=
s
and those birds you are likely to see migrating along the upper Mississippi=
.
(Indoor Auditorium)

10:30am    Keynote  Address < A special kick-off for the fall migration
celebration!  Jeff Vonk, Director of Iowa Department of Natural Resources,
will talk about the work of the IDNR during the 19 years of HawkWatch, and
the other work that the IDNR has done and plans to do in wildlife and
habitat conservation.

11:00am    Harpy Eagle Program < Join international cinematographer Neil
Rettig to learn about his years of experience studying and filming Harpy
Eagles.  This magnificent eagle is one of world=8Fs largest and most powerful=
.
Neil will bring along his Harpy Eagle so you can see one of these beautiful
creatures up close.      (Indoor Auditorium)

12:00pm    American Kestrels < smallest of the mighty falcons.  Join
falconer Mike Furr for a short film on Kestrels, and an introduction to one
of our more common raptor species.  This tiny sparrowhawk, often seen
sitting on telephone lines in open country is a fantastic hunter, and our
most colorful raptor.   (Indoor Auditorium)
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1:00pm    Hawk ID for Beginners < This program will give you the basics on
identifying different hawks in flight.  Take this opportunity to learn some
key fieldmarks in a fun atmosphere, and create your own i.d. guide.
Presenter < Mike Havlik  (indoor Auditorium)
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2:00pm    IDNR Raptors of Iowa < Join the raptor experts from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources for an introduction to the birds of prey wh=
o
nest and migrate through the state, their population dynamics, and what may
effect those populations.   (Indoor Auditorium)
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3:00pm    Big Owls Hoot, Little Owls Toot!  <  Meet a couple of these
extraordinary creatures and learn all about their habits and habitats, and
the marvelous adaptations that help them hunt at night.   Presenter < Mike
Havlik   (Indoor Auditorium)Live Bird Area < Kay Neumann of SOAR (Saving Ou=
r
Avian Resources), will have several birds on display including a Bald Eagle=
,
Red-tailed Hawk and an American Kestrel throughout the weekend.  The Live
Bird Area will be directly in front of the Visitors Center.


Sunday, September 28th


9:00am    Effigy Mounds Film
the history of the Monument and the Indian burial mounds.  A great way to
get you ready for your afternoon hike!    (Indoor Auditorium)

10:00am    The Wonder of Raptors < This program includes discussion about
the realities of surviving as a predator,  some of the more interesting
aspects of bird physiology,  and how humans can do the right thing in
encounters with raptors.  At the end of the slide show,  3 owls, (2 screech
owls and a barred owl,) and a hybrid tiercel prairie/peregrine falcon will
make an appearance.  Presenter < Maggie Jones.  (Indoor Auditorium)
11:00am    Hawk ID for Beginners < This program will give you the basics on
identifying different hawks in flight.  Take this opportunity to learn some
key fieldmarks in a fun atmosphere, and create your own i.d. guide.
Presenter < Mike Havlik  (Indoor Auditorium)

12:00am     A Bird=8Fs Eye View - A New Perspective on Managing and Protectin=
g
Land for Neotropical Migratory Birds.  Marlene Ehresman of the Iowa Natural
Heritage Foundation will present a program to introduce this exciting
project which can benefit us all, humans and migrant birds, alike. (Indoor
Auditorium)

1:00pm    Flight of the Peregrine < Maggie Jones will talk about the recent
history of the peregrine falcon at their return to an ancient home, the
upper Mississippi River.  She will discuss their decline and disappearance
from the river in the 1940's and 1950's and their remarkable ongoing
recovery. She will introduce the people who love these birds and who have
devoted their lives to saving these amazing predators, < one of the true
success stories of endangered species recovery. (Indoor Auditorium)

2:00pm    Bird Mound Hike < Park Rangers and US Fish & Wildlife personnel
will lead a guided hike to the south unit of Effigy Mounds to view the
spectacular bird mounds.  This is a great way to learn all about the histor=
y
of the Park, as well as the Upper Mississippi River, and to explore a
gorgeous area that many visitors don=8Ft get to see.

2:00pm    Big Owls Hoot, Little Owls Toot!  < Meet a couple of these
extraordinary creatures and learn all about their habits and habitats, and
the marvelous adaptations that help them hunt at night.   Presenter < Mike
Havlik  (Indoor Auditorium)
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3:00pm    IDNR Raptors of Iowa < Join the raptor experts from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources for an introduction to the birds of prey wh=
o
nest and migrate through the state, their population dynamics, and what may
effect those populations.   (Indoor Auditorium)

HawkWatch is FREE OF CHARGE!  The event is co-sponsored by the Upper Iowa
Audubon Society, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Effigy Mounds
National Monument, and the Upper Mississippi River Campaign.  Please suppor=
t
this event by purchasing items at the HawkWatch Store.
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forward for Ric by Jim Williams, Wayzata