Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day - May 8th

MOSCOW - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, in conjuction with the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute, Nez Perce Tribe, Palouse Audubon Society, and the Moscow Food Co-op will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 8, 2004 by hosting an event in downtown Moscow. Activities begin at Friendship Square (in conjunction with the Farmer's Market) and will last from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Free organic, shade-grown coffee will be available courtesy of the Moscow Food Co-op. From 9:00 a.m. to noon, the Raptor Club from Washington State University will be on hand with live birds and demonstrations. Bird enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are invited to learn about the migratory birds returning to the region. "Migratory birds are some of the most beautiful, observable, and remarkable wildlife that we have in Idaho," said Joel Sauder, regional nongame biologist based in Lewiston. "International Migratory Bird Day is a great time to learn more about their natural history and conservation." International Migratory Bird Day is an annual event that focuses attention on migratory birds that travel between wintering grounds in Mexico, South and Central America, Caribbean, and nesting habitats in North America. While all species of migratory birds are part of the celebration, this year's theme is colonial nesting birds such as swallows, gulls, herons and puffins.