Spring Wings begins today

Staff report
Staff report
May 9, 2008, 12:05 AM

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Spring Wings begins today with a full nest of events around the Lahontan Valley.

A free seminar entitled "Birding 101" will be presented at 10 a.m. at the Barkley Theater in Oats Park. This presentation is being offered by retired professor Dr. Alan Gubanich of the University of Nevada, Reno, and Elizabeth Ammon from the Great Basin Bird Observatory.

Birding 101 will prepare people for their weekend of avian enjoyment. They will share information such as the types of birds people can expect to see, as well as give them pointers on identification "on the fly" and how to use a field guide.

Several tours are still available today, but many of the popular tours filled up earlier this week.

The 2008 keynote speaker will be author and naturalist Scott Weidensaul, who appears at Audubon/Nature Centers and Festivals all across the country. He is a much sought-after speaker on the festival circuit across the nation. His prosaic presentations have been performed to standing ovations at recent California festivals.

He will speak at the Barkley Theater at the Oats Park Arts Center. Hors d'oeuvres kick off the event at 6 p.m. followed by Weidensaul at 7 p.m. The presentation cost $25.

Some of the booths at the festival include food and drink vendors, artists, crafters and a booth where children can learn how to build a birdhouse. Many activities at the park festival are free.