Festival of Hawks
Join local wildlife, bird and nature experts in celebration of local bird migration on Saturday September 18 at Holiday Beach Conservation Area from 9am to 3pm for the Festival of Hawks! Watch thousands of birds of prey flying overhead, experience programs that cover a wide range of birding and nature topics and see hawks and owls up close. A great family event for experts and amateurs alike.
Festival admission is $15 per vehicle to gain entry into the Conservation Area. Covid-19 safety protocols including limited capacity for experiences, social distancing, wearing masks and sanitizing will be in place. The Hawk Tower will not be accessible to the public. Passive viewing at ground level will be available.
Event Schedule
| Schedule | Details |
| When birds are available | Hawk Banding Demonstrations and Bird ‘Adoptions’
Hosted by Holiday Beach Migration Observatory HBMO experts will be on-site conducting hawk banding and adoptions. Event goers will get up close and personal to a variety of raptors as experts explain the bird banding process and release recently banded hawks back into the wild. Free to observe. Adoption funds go to HBMO. |
| 9am to 3pm | Native Trees and Plants Display
Hosted by Native Trees and Plants Nursery Visit the local Native Trees and Plants Nursery booth to learn about native plants to Windsor-Essex and purchase some for your garden. |
| 10am to 10:45am | Monarchs 101: Uncover the mystery behind our local icon
Hosted by Essex Region Conservation Learn about the mysterious and locally iconic Monarch Butterfly and see live specimens up close and personal. Capacity limited to 25 people. |
| 11am to 12:30pm
|
Accipiters, Falcons, Buteos, Oh My! Identifying hawks in flight
Hosted by HBMO, Bob Pettit. Learn about hawk identification in flight. Capacity limited to 25 people. |
| 11am to 12pm
12:30pm to 1:30pm |
Live Raptor Display and Presentation
Hosted by Kingsport Environmental Get up close with trained falconry birds with expert handlers from Kingsport Environmental. Attendees will attend a 40 minute presentation and have a chance to take photos of the birds. Bring your camera! Capacity limited to 25 people. Cost is $15 per person and all proceeds go to ERCA. Register: https://liveraptordisplayfestivalofhawks2021.eventbrite.ca |
| 1pm to 2pm | Take your Best Shot
Hosted by Ted Kloske, Henry’s Windsor Nature photography tips from a local pro! Capacity limited to 25 people. Bring your cameras! |
| 12:30 to 1:15 | Forest Hike
Hosted by Essex Region Conservation Explore a forested trail along Big Creek in Holiday Beach Conservation Area and learn about the trees that live there. Capacity limited to 25 people. |
| 6:45pm to 7:45pm
8:30pm to 9:30pm |
Owl Prowl
Hosted by Essex Region Conservation Education Staff On this exclusive night-hike during Hawk Festival through the Holiday Beach Conservation Area, learn about, look and listen for the owls that call the site their home. Capacity limited to 25 people. Cost is $15 per person and all proceeds go to ERCA. Register: https://hawkfestivalowlprowl2021.eventbrite.ca |
Hawk Festival Map
Please reach out to Gina Pannunzio, Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator with any questions at gpannunzio@erca.org or (519) 776-5209 ext. 245.
Directions to Holiday Beach Conservation Area: From Windsor, take Howard Ave (County Rd 9) south to its end approximately 21 km. Turn right (West) on County Rd 20, go 2.6 km. Turn left (South) on County Rd 50, go 2 km. As you go around the curve, you will see the entrance to Holiday Beach on the South side. Address is 6952 County Road 50, Amherstburg, ON N0R 1G0.