Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - On March 28, bird-watchers, nature-lovers and curious minds alike are invited to step into the heart of spring migration at the first-ever Waterfowl Festival, a full-day celebration of birds, wetlands and conservation hosted jointly by Tippecanoe Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited and Chautauqua-Wawasee at the Oakwood Resort in Syracuse.
The festival starts at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4:30 p.m.
This all-ages event blends guided outdoor birding experiences with hands-on workshops, educational talks and family-friendly activities designed to welcome both seasoned birders and newcomers.
March marks peak migration along the Mississippi Flyway, and festival participants will have the opportunity to witness waterfowl and other wetland birds as they move north through the region. Guided field trips to Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area and the Pisgah Marsh Boardwalk, led by expert birders in coordination with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will help participants observe and identify birds in real time. The festival also offers a parallel indoor track featuring waterfowl identification workshops, duck box building and decoy painting activities led by Ducks Unlimited volunteers, making it easy for participants to tailor the day to their interests.
An afternoon speaker series focused on waterfowl biology, migration and conservation rounds out the program. Featured speakers include Adam Phelps, Indiana DNR waterfowl biologist, who will speak on changes to migration patterns along the Mississippi Flyway; Hunter Mentges, Ducks Unlimited biologist, who will present an introduction to identifying and aging waterfowl; and a representative from Indiana Audubon, who will discuss the successful reestablishment of Sandhill cranes in Indiana.
The Tippecanoe Audubon Society supports conservation and environmental education to promote appreciation, understanding and preservation of birds, wildlife, and diverse ecosystems for present and future generations. The Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area and the Pisgah Marsh Wildlife Management areas are managed by Indiana Department of Natural Resources to provide quality outdoor recreational opportunities. Ducks Unlimited works to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and waterfowl habitat, benefiting birds, wildlife and the communities that depend on healthy ecosystems. Chautauqua-Wawasee partners with both organizations to bring the first-ever Waterfowl Festival to the Syracuse area.
Tickets to the Waterfowl Festival are $20 per person, and a buffet lunch is included in the event price. Pre-registration is required and tickets may be purchased on the www.chqw.org website. For more information, visit chautauquawawasee.org or tippeaudubon.org.
