Oshkosh Bird Fest 2024

Saturday, May 4

6:00 am - Noon

Rain or Shine!

Lakeshore Park Pavilion, 1875 Punhoqua St., Oshkosh

It’s all about birds . . . A morning of birdy activities for the whole family to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and the fact that Oshkosh is a BIRD CITY!

The silence of winter has passed, and the air is full of bird song. It is a wondrous time of year when our migrating birds return once again. Learn more about our feathered friends at Oshkosh Bird Fest on Saturday, May 6 at our NEW location in Rainbow Park on the Fox River. Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a variety of activities for all ages. Shelter #2 in Rainbow Park will be the center of our activities from 6:00 am – Noon. The event is free and open to the public. Rain or shine, plan to make a day of it.

There will be a Big Sit, a bird banding demonstration, bird walks, live birds of prey, and children’s activities. Winnebago Audubon, Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin, and the Purple Martin Conservation Association will be some of the organizations on hand to answer all your bird questions.

For all the details, visit oshkoshbirdfest.com.

Oshkosh Bird Fest is a city event organized by volunteers from Winnebago Audubon and in partnership with Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board. Winnebago Audubon is the major sponsor. It is entirely funded by donations.

Oshkosh was awarded recognition as a Bird City in 2010, and recertified each year since with “high flyer” status in the Bird City Wisconsin program, because Oshkosh is a bird friendly community and is committed to implementing sound conservation practices and educating its residents to play an increased role in making our community healthy for birds … and people. More than 100 Bird City communities are at the forefront of efforts to forge a statewide coalition of citizens and public officials who recognize that birds are more than beautiful – they are significant. Bird City communities go above and beyond in their conservation and education actions.

RATIONALE
While bird watchers and nature lovers understand the importance of protecting birds and creating healthy urban habitat, many others need a little convincing. For those people we offer the top 10 reasons to become a Bird City:

1. COMMUNITY PRIDE: Present the positive image that people want for the place where they live and conduct business.

2. CONSERVATION REPUTATION: Promote and grow your community's environmental reputation by participating in a state-wide conservation program and by displaying our beautiful Bird City Wisconsin signs in your community.

3. SAVE MONEY: without birds we would have to spend more money on pest control and keeping natural systems in balance.

4. MAKE MONEY: In 2011, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimate that spending by birders generated $107 billion in industry output, 666,000 jobs, and $13 billion in tax revenue!

5. ECOSYSTEM HEALTH: Sustain healthy natural ecosystems by helping to maximize the number of native species in your community.

6. FAMILY & EXERCISE: Birding and spending time in nature gets the whole family outside for fresh air, exercise, and relaxation!

7. UNDERSTAND NATURE: Birds teach us about the interconnectedness of humans and nature and show how vulnerable wildlife can be to human actions.

8. IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT: Managing green space to benefit birds creates not only better habitat for birds but also improves conditions for a host of other species... including people!

9. DO IT FOR PEOPLE: Build community spirit, foster new public-private sector partnerships, and make your community a nicer place to live.

10. DO IT FOR BIRDS: Conservation actions combat population declines in Wisconsin's birds and the other species that use the same habitats.​

To learn more about Bird City Wisconsin click here.