Bird enthusiasts from around the region gathered in Detroit Lakes last weekend for the 29th annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.
The three-day event featured birding field trips, educational presentations, social events, vendors, and wildlife excursions celebrating the area’s diverse bird population and natural habitats.
Detroit Lakes is located in a unique transition zone between tallgrass prairie, northern hardwood forests, and conifer forests, making the region a major destination for birdwatchers. Organizers say more than 275 bird species can be found along the nearby Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail.
Cleone Stewart with the Detroit Lakes Tourism Board says the festival was well attended and drew visitors from the Fargo area, the Twin Cities, and several out-of-state locations.
Festival activities included coach bus field trips to Bluestem Prairie SNA & Buffalo River State Park on Friday, along with excursions Saturday to Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.
Other events included a Bird Trivia Social at Bucks Mill Brewing, vendors and a silent auction at Detroit Lakes M State College, and evening presentations from storyteller Al Batt and birding expert Peter Cavanagh.
Stewart says the festival not only brings visitors to the area during the three-day event, but also encourages tourism throughout the birding season.
By Karen Downing