Migratory Bird Day celebrated on May 20

World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated with a full slate of free activities in Port Washington on Saturday, May 20.

The events, sponsored by the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory, begin at 8 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. in Veterans Park.

The day begins with an 8 a.m. guided walk along the Interurban Trail with staff members from the Ozaukee County Parks and Planning Department.

Those attending are asked to bring binoculars. Binoculars can also be borrowed from the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory.

A program on the importance of trees will be held at 9 a.m. Observatory staff members will introduce the subject before Jon Crain, Port Washington’s superintendent of parks and forestry, leads a walk and talk about tree care and uses in communities and yards.

Jeannie Lord, executive director of Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Fredonia, will hold a program on raptors at 10 a.m.

Lord will show live birds, describe their habits and adaptations and recount the many threats they face.

A beginner bird walk will be led by Nick Gall, ecological restoration manager at the Mequon Nature Preserve, at 11:30 a.m.

Those attending are asked to bring binoculars. Binoculars can also be borrowed from the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory.

Observatory Executive Director Jenn Phillips-Vanderberg will lead a program on ways to support local waterways while supporting birds at 1:30 p.m.

Throughout the day there will be a native plant sale in the park with hundreds of perennials, annuals and heirloom plants.

There will also be activities, crafts and displays that deal with birds throughout the day.

Participating groups include ARTservancy, City of Port Washington, International Crane Foundation, Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, Ozaukee County Parks and Planning Department, Ozaukee County Watershed Coalition, Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Riveredge Nature Center, Town of Grafton, Save Our Songbirds and the W.J. Niederkorn Library.