Registration Booth Open

When: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary School - map

Cost: Festival fee is $5.00 per person; children under 12 years free with paying adult.

Details: Staffed by volunteers, the registration booth is open during each day of the festival.

Morley Nelson Movie Night

When: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary School Gym

Cost: Free with admission

Details: A live falconry demonstration will begin the evening festivities, including a flight demonstration if conditions permit. Then, join Tyler and Norman Nelson (Morley Nelson’s sons) for a glimpse at Morley Nelson’s fascinating life, along with the special raptors that were used in Disney movies. The featured movie will be “Vertical Environment.” Slim, Morley’s golden eagle, will make a live appearance during the evening.

Registration Booth Open

When: 6:00 am - 7:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School main entrance

Cost: Festival fee is $5.00 per person; children under 12 years free with paying adult.

Details: Staffed by volunteers, the registration booth is open all day.

Tour - Celebration Park birding & petroglyphs

When: 6:00 am- 11:00 am

Where: Celebration Park - map

Notes: Transportation provided. Maximum 40 people.

Cost: $20.00 Adult, $10.00 for children under 12

Details: Join Jim Holcomb as he takes you to Celebration Park, Idaho’s only archaeological park, located on the Snake River at the western boundary of the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Upon arrival, you will bird some of the park’s hotspots including a look at a nesting golden eagle. The tour will then conclude with a guided petroglyph tour and a hands-on demonstration and discussion of lithic technology and survival strategies of indigenous peoples.

Tour - Raptor Banding in the NCA

When: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: Various locations in the NCA - meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation and Sack lunch provided. Maximum 15 people.

Cost: $25.00 Adult, $15.00 students 12-17 years

Details: This will be an all day activity and due to safety issues, the field trip is geared toward students 12 and older and adults. Help band nesting western screech owls and possibly Saw–whet owls. John Doremus, a retired NCA biologist, will provide information about the productivity, food habits, movements, fidelity to nest site and mate, and annual weight cycle of these raptors.

Tour - Birding and learning in the NCA

When: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation and Sack lunch provided. Maximum 20 people.

Cost: $25.00 Adult, $15.00 children under 12 years

Details: This tour will highlight the best birding locations in the NCA with commentary on the habitat and other features such as Swan Falls Dam. Things to bring include binoculars, snacks, water, sunscreen, and a camera. Your guide on this tour will be RL Rowland who has extensive birding and tour guiding experience. He has been a member and Vice-president of the Golden Eagle Audubon Society and a charter member and past field trip co-coordinator for the SW Idaho Birders Association.

Lecture and Tour - Raptor Identification

When: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation provided. Maximum 40 people.

Cost: Lecture free with admission; tour $20 Adult, $10.00 children under 12 years

Details: This lecture and tour will be for beginners as well as a great review for experienced bird watchers. Barb Forderhase, an educational specialist for the BLM will provide the lecture: What’s that bird?! It’s big. It’s dark. A golden eagle? Or… maybe it’s a turkey vulture? How do you tell the hawks apart? Particularly the immatures? What kind of owl is that? Want to learn how to identify raptors found in southwest Idaho? The lecture will last about 2 hours followed by the field tour conducted by Tyler Nelson, Morley Nelson’s son, and returning by 1pm.

Tour - Oregon Trail and Southwestern Idaho’s Historic

When: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Where: Meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation and Sack lunch provided. Maximum 40 people.

Cost: $25.00

Details: Your tour guide will be BLM archaeologist Dean Shaw. This tour will take you to some of the best scenic and historical viewing areas in the southwestern part of the state. Initial Point is the beginning point for surveying in Idaho. Dedication Point provides an outstanding view of the Snake River Canyon. Swan Falls Dam, built in 1901 (the first hydroelectric dam on the Snake River), was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Celebration Park, Idaho’s first archaeological park, boasts petroglyphs carved on boulders by Native Americans and early settlers. Hands-on demonstration and discussion of lithic technology and survival strategies of indigenous peoples, as well as atlatl (ancient spear throwing device) demonstration, coaching and practice will be given.. A stop at the Owyhee County Historical Museum will teach you about the Oregon Trail. With nearly 3,000 cultural and historic sites, Owyhee County contains the richest concentration of archeological sites in Idaho.

Education booths, Exhibits, and Children's activities

When: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School Gym

Cost: Free with admission

Details: Festival attendees will have the opportunity to view wildlife, birding, and NCA related informational exhibits and commercial displays. Also, learning is fun and this year’s children’s programs are no exception. Children will enjoy origami, a variety of crafts, other creative projects, and much, much more! These events are all free to children, with adult paid admission, attending the Birds of Prey Festival.

Lecture - Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA - with live birds

When: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area was established by Congress in 1993 to protect a unique desert environment that supports one of the world’s densest concentrations of nesting birds of prey. Learn about the falcons, eagles, hawks, and owls occurring here in unique profusion and variety with Larry Ridenhour, BLM’s Outdoor Recreation Planner. Larry will bring along a few feathered educational ambassadors to complete his lecture.

Lecture and Tour - Burrowing Owls

When: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary

Notes: Transportation and Sack lunch provided. Maximum 20 people.

Cost: $15.00 Adult, $10.00 children under 12

Details: Burrowing owls are a declining species across the west and a species of greatest conservation need in Idaho. Learn about these little diurnal owls with Environmental Education Specialist, Katie McVey from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She will then lead a short field trip to visit a burrowing owl nesting area. Please, do not follow the buses to the locations of the owls. This will allow all to enjoy the wildlife resources of the area while maintaining personal safety and the welfare of the birds as the highest priority.

Paddle and/or float the Birds of Prey Area from Swan Falls to Celebration Park

When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: The park at Swan Falls Dam - 21 miles south of Reed Elemenary

Notes: Sack lunch provided. PROVIDE YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION - GUIDE WILL PROVIDE SHUTTLE BACK TO SWAN FALLS DAM.

Cost: $75.00

Details: This approx. 10 mile free flowing section of the Snake River has fantastic scenery, lots of wildlife, historic ranch and stone houses, and famous Rock Art. Class I and II Rapids are easy to negotiate as you paddle a canoe or touring kayak (we have high quality Nova Craft, Mad River, Dagger, and We-no-nah boats, or you can ride in our rafts). We stop for lunch at Wees Bar and a short hike to some of the best preserved petroglyphs in the Northwest. Published retail price is $95.00 per person, but we are offering a Special Festival Price of $75.00 which includes all equipment, licensed guides, nice riverside lunch and transport back to put-in. Meet at Swan Falls Park at 10am. All arrangements must be made by contacting www.idahoguideservice.com or calling toll free 1-888-73-IDAHO.

Lecture - Merlins in the Treasure Valley

When: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: The merlin, a small migratory falcon, is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in our state. While populations in North America appear to be expanding, little is known about its status and range in Idaho. For the past four years, Bruce Haak from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has been counting, capturing and radio-tagging wintering merlins in the Treasure Valley. Come and see what he has learned.

Lecture - Falconry with live raptors

When: 12:00 am - 1:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: Join falconers and their birds from the Idaho Falconers Association to learn about the special adaptations of these spectacular hunters. Jesse Woody will make this presentation. He is a life-long master falconer and past president of the Idaho Falconers Association.

Tour - Raptor NCA bus tour

When: 1:00 pm - 5:00pm

Where: Meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation provided. Maximum 40 people.

Cost: $25.00 Adult, $15.00 children under 12

Details: Join guide Steve Guinn of Birds of Prey Expeditions (www.birdsofpreyexpeditions.com) to tour the western portion of the NCA via bus and practice your identification skills in the field. Additionally you will learn about geology, history, and nesting birds of prey. Steve has been operating Birds of Prey Expeditions for over 30 years and has been involved in all facets of raptor education and protection. Together with Morley Nelson, he has escorted thousands of visitors from around the world through the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

Lecture - Wildlife Photography

When: 1:00 pm - 2:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: Monte Stiles is an award-winning nature photographer who has been capturing images of birds of prey and other wildlife for many years. Monte’s work has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines and in articles about the great outdoors. Monte is also a highly sought-after speaker on the subject of photography, with recent presentations in Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Portland, OR, and Hudson, MA. Monte’s informative and interactive slide presentation will increase appreciation for the magnificent birds of prey and other wildlife, and will include valuable information on photographic techniques that can be used to capture wildlife images. This presentation is suitable for anyone who enjoys wildlife or photography. The information presented will assist photographers, from beginners to the very serious amateur. All are welcome. Monte’s work can be viewed at www.montestiles.com.

Lecture - Piute Ground Squirrel

When: 4:00 pm - 5:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: Piute ground squirrels are the most abundant burrowing species in the Snake River Birds of Prey NCA. These dense populations provide a reliable prey base for hunting birds of prey. They are also contribute to soil fertility and healthy vegetation. Join College of Idaho Professor Eric Yensen to learn how these squirrels are adapted to desert life and why they are a favorite prey of prairie falcons.

Booths, exhibits, vendors, and children’s activities close

When: 5:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details:

Banquet & Keynote Address

When: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary School cafeteria, outside weather permitting - map

Cost: $20.00 per person

Details: The banquet begins with a live falconry demonstration outside of Reed Elementary. The Mexican fiesta will be provided by local restaurant El Gallo Giro with fine food well-known throughout the Treasure Valley. Then join Steve Stuebner discussing the role Morley Nelson and others had in establishing the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. He will also discuss a variety of recreation activities available to people in the NCA. Steve is an Idaho author who wrote an award-winning biography on Morley Nelson titled, “Cool North Wind: Morley Nelson’s Life with Birds of Prey.” By day, Steve is a public relations and marketing professional. In his spare time, he’s an avid recreationist. His interests include hiking, biking, trail running, whitewater boating, canoeing, fishing, climbing mountains, camping, skiing, bird-watching, hockey, and most of all, being a Dad.

Registration Booth Open

When: 7:00 am - 4:pm

Where: Reed Elementary School main entrance

Cost: Festival fee is $5.00 per person; children under 12 years free with paying adult.

Details: Staffed by volunteers, the registration booth is open all day.

Lecture and Tour - Raptor Identification

When: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Meet in front of Reed Elementary School

Notes: Transportation provided. Maximum 40 people.

Cost: Lecture free with admission; tour $20 Adult, $10.00 children under 12 years

Details: This lecture and tour will be for beginners as well as a great review for experienced bird watchers. Barb Forderhase, an educational specialist for the BLM will provide the lecture: What’s that bird?! It’s big. It’s dark. A golden eagle? Or… maybe it’s a turkey vulture? How do you tell the hawks apart? Particularly the immatures? What kind of owl is that? Want to learn how to identify raptors found in southwest Idaho? The lecture will last about 2 hours followed by the field tour conducted by Tyler Nelson, Morley Nelson’s son, and returning by 1pm.

Education booths, Exhibits, and Children's activities

When: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School Gym

Cost: Free with admission

Details: Festival attendees will have the opportunity to view wildlife, birding, and NCA related informational exhibits and commercial displays. Also, learning is fun and this year’s children’s programs are no exception. Children will enjoy origami, a variety of crafts, other creative projects, and much, much more! These events are all free to children, with adult paid admission, attending the Birds of Prey Festival.

Lecture and Tour - Burrowing Owls

When: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Reed Elementary

Notes: Transportation and Sack lunch provided. Maximum 20 people.

Cost: $15.00 Adult, $10.00 children under 12

Details: Burrowing owls are a declining species across the west and a species of greatest conservation need in Idaho. Learn about these little diurnal owls with Environmental Education Specialist, Katie McVey from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She will then lead a short field trip to visit a burrowing owl nesting area. Please, do not follow the buses to the locations of the owls. This will allow all to enjoy the wildlife resources of the area while maintaining personal safety and the welfare of the birds as the highest priority.

Paddle and/or float the Birds of Prey Area from Swan Falls to Celebration Park

When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: The park at Swan Falls Dam - 21 miles south of Reed Elemenary

Notes: Sack lunch provided. PROVIDE YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION - GUIDE WILL PROVIDE SHUTTLE BACK TO SWAN FALLS DAM.

Cost: $75.00

Details: This approx. 10 mile free flowing section of the Snake River has fantastic scenery, lots of wildlife, historic ranch and stone houses, and famous Rock Art. Class I and II Rapids are easy to negotiate as you paddle a canoe or touring kayak (we have high quality Nova Craft, Mad River, Dagger, and We-no-nah boats, or you can ride in our rafts). We stop for lunch at Wees Bar and a short hike to some of the best preserved petroglyphs in the Northwest. Published retail price is $95.00 per person, but we are offering a Special Festival Price of $75.00 which includes all equipment, licensed guides, nice riverside lunch and transport back to put-in. Meet at Swan Falls Park at 10am. All arrangements must be made by contacting www.idahoguideservice.com or calling toll free 1-888-73-IDAHO.

Booths, exhibits, vendors, and children’s activities close

When: 5:00pm

Where: Reed Elementary School

Cost: Free with admission

Details: