Annual HawkWatch will take flight Oct. 6
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, in partnership with the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, will host HawkWatch. This 34th annual event will celebrate the magnificent fall migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and other birds along the Mississippi River Flyway.
HawkWatch is a free event, designed to appeal to everyone, including families, amateur birders and raptor enthusiasts. HawkWatch activities will be held at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, located at 509 U.S. 18, in Marquette, a half-mile west of the Marquette-Joliet Bridge. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. and will wrap up at 3 p.m.
Birding experts will be on hand to help identify raptors and other birds migrating through the area. Iowa Raptor Project staff will present live bird programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Local ornithologist and musician, Jon Stravers, will present a program on hawk migration in the area, the history of HawkWatch and his bird conservation research. The lunch-time entertainment will feature music by Jon Stravers and Sophia Landis.
Hands-on educational activities will be provided by Driftless Area Wetlands Centre and Clayton County Conservation naturalists. The Friends of the Marquette Driftless Area will also hold a food stand.
A schedule of events will be available at the Wetlands Centre or online at www.driftlessareawetlandcentre.com.
Sponsors for this year’s HawkWatch event include Upper Iowa Audubon Society, Friends of the Marquette Driftless Area, Casino Queen Marquette, Cabela’s and the city of Marquette.
Please contact the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre at (563) 873-3537 with any questions.