The eastern slope of the Crown of the Continent, where mountains meet prairie, marsh and river breaks, is one of the best places anywhere to view a rich diversity of wild birds. Opportunities abound at the Wings Across the Big Sky Festival in Great Falls, June 5-7.

The three-day festival, sponsored by Montana Audubon, includes dozens of field trips, a kid-friendly family event, and a keynote presentation by David Allen Sibley, author of North America's favorite bird field guide.

This years key note speakers are among the "who's who" of the birding community. Vince Yannone (biologist Montana Wildlife Shelter) and Sibley (author and illustrator of the “Sibley Guide to Birds”) will be speaking and Vince will bring some of his live birds. Montana Senator Jon Tester is an invited guest speaker to the Saturday night banquet.

This three day event is held in conjunction with the Montana Audubon’s annual membership meeting. The public events kick off Saturday June 6th. There are dozens of field trips planned across the two days, and A Family Festival is set for Saturday, June 6th, at 9 am at the Giant Springs State Park, Great Falls Montana.

This kid-oriented event provides families an opportunity to celebrate birds and reconnect with the natural world. Activities include Migration Game, bird walks, face painting and other activities about birds and Montana’s wildlife. There is no fee for this two hour portion of the Wings Across the Big Sky Festival.

The overall event has more than 25 field trips including field trips to Freezeout Lake, Kevin Rim, and Benton Lake National Wildlife Area to name a few (some costs apply, for more information: http://www.mtaudubon.org/birdwatching/festival.html#key).

The event will be hosted at the the Holiday Inn, Great Falls, Montana. $89 per room plus tax. Call 1-800-257-1998 and mention the Montana Audubon Festival.

For a complete brochure visit, www.mtaudubon.org/birdwatching/festival

Montana Audubon Co-hosted with the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Socitey

Easy

Birders, or those interested in learing more about birds are welcome on all frield trips.

No special skills are required for the field trips, but optics such as binoculars and spotting scopes are encouraged and will help with viewing far off subjects.

June 05, 2009 - June 07, 2009

Other Lodging

Registration for non-member adults is $75, Members are $55. Student registration is $30 and kids under 16 do not pay a fee. For registraion costs visit: www.mtaudubon.org/birdwatching/festival