Celebrate Bird Month in Nebraska

Each year, May is Bird Month in Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and partner organizations celebrate with a variety of activities across the state throughout the month.

This year’s theme is Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter. This highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats. It also reveals the factors that affect bird populations and contribute to ways to protect them.

Find more information about the month and several events planned at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for “Nebraska Bird Month.”

The following are a few ways to participate hosted by Game and Parks:

Nebraska Birding Bowl is May 1-31

Get outside and track birds during the Nebraska Birding Bowl. Help contribute data for bird research during this free, statewide birding competition. Registered participants will have the chance to win prizes such as birding gear or a $1,000 cash prize.

Learn about birds at a nature center

Celebrate Nebraska Bird Month by learning more about birds at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park or Platte River State Park on May 9.

Park naturalists will be available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Mahoney’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center and at Platte River’s Nature Center, below Mallet Lodge. Explore bird-themed activities and resources to expand your knowledge about Nebraska birds.

These events are free, but a Nebraska Vehicle Park Entry Permit is required at each park.

Build bird-inspired kite in Treehouse Classroom

Spring is kite-flying time. Sign up to come to the Schramm Treehouse Classroom for a kite-making workshop on May 16, which is Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska.

Dominique Ellis, with the Center for Great Plains Studies and Great Plains Art Museum, will lead this hands-on, kid-friendly workshop. It begins with a short presentation about the cultural history of kites, looks at some Nebraska birds for inspiration, and follows with participants making and decorating their own bird kite to take home.

This 10-11:30 a.m. workshop is free and limited to 25 participants. Registration is required and may be completed at calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Kite makers age 8 and older are recommended.