ST. GEORGE — The annual St. George Winter Bird Festival, now in its 12th year, offers attendees a chance to see more than 100 species of birds in Southern Utah’s red rock country and will take place Thursday through Saturday.
Over the course of the three-day event, bird-watchers will be able to see these winged visitors in their natural settings in St. George and other spots around Washington County.
“The area is a hot spot for wintering birds,” festival coordinator Marilyn Davis said.
In addition to drawing birds from near and far, the St. George and Washington County areas attract birders from across the West, she said.
At last year’s event, Davis said, viewers saw more than 100 species of birds.
“We saw everything from vermilion flycatchers to roadrunners,” she said.
Lynn Chamberlain, regional conservation outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said anyone who has an interest in birds should have a great time at the event.
Bird-watching enthusiasts can enjoy bird walks and field trips during the festival, and each night of the event will also include an educational presentation. The first two presentations, “Wintering Birds of Washington,” with Rick Fridell, and “California Condors Life Recovery History,” with Zion National Park Lead Biologist Cassie Waters, will be held Thursday and Friday at the St. George Children’s Museum, 86 S. Main St. in St. George.
The third presentation, held Saturday night during the annual festival banquet, will take place at the Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 S. Bluff St. in St. George, and will feature “Confessions of a Closet Birder,” with Maurice Demille.
Other activities will take place at the Tonaquint Park and Nature Center, 1851 S. Dixie Drive in St. George.
The Division of Wildlife Resources, Red Cliffs Audubon, the City of St. George and Dixie State University have teamed up to put this year’s festival together.
Event details
- When: Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 29-31
- Where: Most of the events will be held at the Tonaquint Nature Center at Tonaquint Park, 1851 S.Dixie Drive, St. George
- Admission: $10 for individuals and $15 for couples for a three-day admission pass. Children 17 and younger get in free. Some activities require preregistration and fees.
- Visit the City of St. George’s Winter Bird Festival website for more information.
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Beautiful photo of the flycatcher! Thanks.
Ten dollars to look at a bird? I guess some people enjoy this. Wonder if there is a chicken dinner included?
No dancing either! Not even the Chicken Dance!