The Chattanooga Audubon Society announce the eighth annual Little Owl Festival to be held at Audubon Acres on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The 2019 Little Owl Festival will include a hawk release, a bird research presentation, and student art. This year organizers have refocused the festival with the tag line "Kids, Nature, Art."
The Happinest Wildlife Rehabilitators will open the festival with the release a first year broad-winged hawk. The young bird was found grounded with a broken leg and underwent surgery at University of Tennessee veterinary clinic. The bird has become a strong flier while under care and will soon soar over its natural habitat. The release will take place outside Walker Hall.
Join Smithsonian biologists as they survey Audubon Acres for yellow-billed cuckoos. Researchers from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center are tagging and tracking cuckoos to determine their migration routes. The information obtained will benefit conservation for migratory birds worldwide.
There will be a short, educational talk, and then a leisurely hike, hoping to hear and see yellow-billed cuckoos. Children over 5 are welcome to attend the 45- minute hike. Bring water, sunblock, binoculars, and bug-spray. Limit 36 people. [10-12 per hike]. Meet at the Audubon Visitor Center.
All day – View an exhibit of children’s art in Walker Hall
9 a.m. Tours of the historic log cabin begin.
9-11 a.m. Old Time music by Peggy Douglas and friends on the back porch of the log cabin
9-11 a.m. Meet Bilbo the Box Turtle Ambassador
9-11 a.m. Art Mural - Help complete a large mural to celebrate nature and Chattanooga Audubon’s 75th anniversary. Walker Hall
9-11 a.m. Build a bird nest – find out if you have what it takes to be a good bird parent. -Meet at picnic area
9-11 a.m. Meet Animal Ambassadors from the Chattanooga Zoo
10 a.m. Water quality activity by Waterways - Walker Hall
11 a.m. Meet Marley the Great Horned Owl from Harrison Bay State Park. – Picnic Area
12 p.m. Enjoy walking the grounds at Audubon Acres
For further information call 892-1799 or visit the Facebook page.