Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, June 8, at Rocky Mountain National Park

Male Western Tanager

RMNP - Ann Schonlau

News Release Date: June 4, 2013

Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) on Saturday, June 8 with two great events. In the morning, go on a bird walk in Rocky Mountain National Park!  Join us for an opportunity to learn more about migratory birds while exploring the park with experienced bird watchers. The event will be at 8:00 a.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. After a short introduction, visitors and bird walk leaders will caravan into the park to view birds in a variety of habitats. The activity is free of charge, but park entrance fees will apply. This guided walk will have naturalists and expert birders help beginners identify birds; all ages and abilities are welcomed. Bring warm clothes, water, good walking shoes, binoculars and a snack. The event will end at noon, but visitors are encouraged to continue their birding adventures throughout the day. 

We will finish off the day at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center with the free premiere of "Birds Without Borders," the new documentary produced by Nick Mollé and the park's Chief of Resource Stewardship Ben Bobowski.  Over I50 species of birds share the ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park and Costa Rica.  Fifty are known to nest in Rocky and migrate to Costa Rica. "Birds Without Borders" focuses on four of these species. Filmed on location in both countries, the story follows the research team as they attempt to locate and film each of the four birds in sometimes difficult situations. The movie is one hour long and has been produced for distribution on PBS.   

International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated each spring across the United States and Canada. This special event recognizes the movement of nearly 350 species of birds from their wintering grounds in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean to nesting habitats in North America. This year marks the 21st anniversary of IMDB with the theme of "Life Cycles of Migratory Birds."  This theme details all aspects of a migratory birds' life, from nesting and migration to breeding and raising young. Most importantly, it addresses the need for conservation throughout the life cycle.