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Rick Steltzer at the New River Nature and Birding Festival

“I am looking forward to another spring birding festival in the West Virginia woodlands and highlands. You are so fortunate to live in such beautiful country. See you in May for my third straight year!”

Rick Stelzer – Lima, Ohio

 
2010 Registration is Live!

Only 10 spaces remain - Reserve your space NOW

We will be out of the office this week and will not send formal confirmations until the week of March 1. Reservations will still be taken on a first-come first-served basis.

Join us April 26 - May 1, 2010 for The New River Birding & Nature Festival!

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Birding, Ecology, Friendship and Fun!

The New River Birding & Nature Festival takes place in and around the New River Gorge National River. Administrated by the National Park Service, this area is the heart of the upland, hardwood forests that Cornell Lab of Ornithology has identified as a crucial stopover habitat for the continued survival of species such as Golden-winged, Blue-winged, and Swainson's Warbler, as well as the Scarlet Tanager. This bird watching  festival will highlight more than 100 species of birds on various birding tours.

A friendly birding vacation for everyone, this weeklong event features guided birding excursions,  world-class speakers, field guides, incredible venures and food, and a back-porch atomsphere unmateched by any other festival. Signature guided bird watching experiences include guaranteed birding vans, birding by boat, hands-on bird banding and hard core backcountry birding.

 
A Typical Day at The New River Birding and Nature Festival.
6 AM Burnwood 

Yes we start early with a good Breakfast at Burnwood. This NPS location is very birdie we have had lifers for breakfast so be ready. It is a good idea to hit the head (port-a-potties) before we get in the vans. There are other modern conveniences during the day but maybe few and far between depending on your field trip..

Birders spot a blue winged warbler in West Virginia
A typical day at the New River Birding and Nature festival.

  7 AM or before 

Vans are marked with the field trip name and a roster. The drive times to the locations vary from a few minutes to well over an hour. Once in the habitat we are looking for, we will spend the next several hours getting in and out of the vans to get good looks at birds.
Guides will instruct on how to share a good look at a bird in the spotting scope among many other things. At some point we set up a picnic lunch and continue to enjoy the company of our fellow bird nerds and nature. 

2-3 PM

We are back at Burnwood and your cars for individual time until dinner. Many folks use this time for a nap, shopping in the local shops or more birding on their own.
Birders enjoy dinner time at smokeys on the Gorge during New River Birding and Nature Festival
Smokey's on the Gorge

6 PM

Dinner and camaraderie is always casual, very good food, followed up with a great program from one of our world famous guides, authors, artist and friends. We move the venue around to highlight some local gems. Some folks will hang around and share the joys of the day with new found friends and the friends they meet at last year’s festival.
It’s a relaxing way to wind down the day.

Check out the trip descriptions choose a package and book your West Virginia Birding and Nature Festival adventure soon, trips do fill up.


A typical day at the New river birding and nature center
A Black Throated Blue Warbler in West Virginia
Lodging Options.

A plethora of great lodging options are made available to our guests at special rates look at our festival partner links on www.birding-wv.com to find the type of property that is write for you. Then book the package that offers the lodging option and property you prefer.

Make a Reservation for a Fantastic Birding Vacation!

First decide whole week, ½ week and then what type of lodging, peruse the field trip options and request your desired field trips. (“request” because some may be full) And submit.

 
Dinner Presentations given by:
Monday, April 26 – Jim McCormac
Tuesday, April 27 – Mark Garland
Wednesday, April 28 – Jeff Gordon
Thursday, April 29 – Bill Hilton, Jr
Friday, April 30 – Julie Zickefoose
Saturday, May 1 – Bill Thompson, III and Julie Zickefoose musical performance