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Woodlands Nature Station to host 25th Annual Hummingbird Festival

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Hummingbird at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Hummingbird at Woodlands Nature Station

Woodlands Nature Station is one of my favorite places, not just in the Land Between the Lakes, but in all of Kentucky! The Nature Station celebrates the migration of hummingbirds during the annual Hummingbird Festival, scheduled for August 7 and 8, 2021.

If you love hummingbirds like I do, the Nature Station is a dream come true. It’s hummingbird paradise!

The weekend of August 7-August 8 marks the beginning of the great hummingbird migration through Land Between the Lakes. I hope you’ll mark your calendar and join in the celebration with the 25th annual Hummingbird Festival.

TIME: 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8, 2021

PLACE: Woodlands Nature Station, 3146 Silver Trail Road in the Land Between the Lakes

PRICE: Special admission price is $9 for ages 18 and up, $7 for ages 5 – 17 and free for ages 4 and under.

If you love hummingbirds, this is the event for you! August brings hundreds of hummingbirds to the Woodlands Nature Station as they migrate south to Central America. You can see as many as 200 in a single day!

Special programming includes:

Saturday, August 7

  • 10 am – 4:30 pm | Hummingbird Banding and Release Demonstrations – licensed banders Brainard Palmer-Ball Jr. and Mark Monroe
  • 11am | 2019/2020 Photo Contest Awards
  • 12pm | Attracting Bluebirds – Bob Peak, The North American Bluebird Society
  • 1pm | The Buzz on Beekeeping – Scott Sutton, Houston-Stewart County Beekeepers Association
  • 2pm | Social Eco-art: Igniting Conversation and Invoking Social Change – Shannon Roberts, The New South Arts Initiative
  • 3pm | Rest Stops for Ruby-Throats: Landscaping for Migrating Birds and Butterflies -Botanist Alicia Bosela, owner of Ironweed Native Plant Nursery
  • 4pm | Build a Hummingbird
  • 4:30 pm – Parade of Raptors

Sunday, August 8

  • 10 am – 4:30 pm | Hummingbird Banding and Release Demonstrations – Licensed banders Brainard Palmer-Ball Jr. and Mark Monroe
  • 11am | Bringing Nature Home: Creating a Haven for Wildlife
  • 12pm | Rest Stops for the Ruby-Throats: Landscaping for Migrating Birds and Butterflies-Botanist Alicia Bosela, owner of Ironweed Native Plant Nursery
  • 1pm | Build a Hummingbird
  • 2pm | Attracting Bluebirds – Bob Peak, The North American Bluebird Society
  • 3pm | Pollinators: Beyond the Bees
  • 4pm | Attracting Purple Martins
  • 4:30 pm – Parade of Raptors

Ongoing activities include:

  • Hummingbird Photo Gallery
  • Hummingbird Gift Shop
  • Kids’ Crafts and Games
  • Local Craftsmen and Artists
  • Attracting Bluebirds
  • Kentucky Wildlife
  • Garden Friend or Foe? – Live Animals
  • Attracting Native Bees
  • Monarch Magic
  • Beekeeping Basics
  • Native Plant Sale
  • and more!

For more information, call 270.924.2299 or visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us.

Fourth grade students can go to https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/campaigns-initiatives/every-kid-outdoors to get their free Every Kid Outdoors pass, and get their family in for free.
For more information, please call the Nature Station at 270-924-2299.
If you love birds, you’ll love The Birds o Kentucky by Burt L. Monroe, Jr. Click the link to learn more about this wonderful guide to Kentucky’s beautiful birds.
Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)
Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

Hummingbird Month at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

If you’ve ever been to Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes, you know why I say that… as a bird and animal lover… it’s one of my favorite places in the world. The bird-watching (and photographing, of course) can’t be beat. As my husband could attest, I could and do spend hours watching the beautiful birds while looking for just the right picture.

Hummingbirds are just one of the beautiful birds that have the good sense to flock to the Nature Station. They know a great buffet when they see it! August is Hummingbird Month at Woodlands and if you’re anything like me, you won’t want to miss a single thing… or feather. Notice that reservations are required for nearly half of the programs.

Special Hummingbird Programs:

  • Throughout August: Nature Station Hummingbird Photo Contest
  • Friday, August 4, 6-8pm: Dinner with the Hummingbirds (reservations required)
  • Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6: Hummingbird Festival
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am: Morning with the Hummingbirds
  • Wednesdays, August 2, 9, & 30 at 11:30am: Hummingbirds of the World
  • Saturday, August 12 at 9:30am: Hummingbird Photography Workshop (reservations required)
  • Saturday, August 26 at 9am: EXCLUSIVE: Early Morning Photo Session (reservations required)
  • Saturday, August 19 at 9am: Hummingbird Café (reservations required)
  • Sunday, August 13: Knee-high Naturalists – Hummingbirds

 

August is Hummingbird Month at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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Hummingbird at the Nature Station in the LBL
I have been fascinated by all birds since I was barely able to walk. They’re just as fascinating today as they were then – many, many, many moons ago. Hummingbirds (my dad’s absolute favorite bird) are always a special joy for bird lovers, aren’t they? Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of time, they aren’t around long at all. In fact, if your experience is like mine has been this year, it’s going to be even shorter because the little beauties seemed particularly late in arriving this year.

Like all good bird watching nerds, I keep a bird journal and they weren’t just days late, they were weeks late!

Next month, August, is actually peak hummingbird viewing season in many parts of the region, including the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Hundreds of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds rest and fuel up in the gardens and feeders at Woodlands Nature Station for their migratory journey south. Nature Station naturalists present special hummingbird programs throughout August included with regular admission to the Nature Station:  $5 ages 13 and older, $3 ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.

Optimal hummingbird viewing begins in mid-July and lasts throughout August. The Nature Station provides a unique opportunity for up to 10 people during an Early Morning Hummingbird Photo Session. Photographers may also photograph butterflies, native wildflowers, and rescued wildlife including the red wolves and bobcat during their most active time of day. The Early Morning Hummingbird Photo Sessions begin at 9am on August 13 and 27. The cost is $10 per person. Call 270-924-2020 for reservations.

On August 20, the Nature Station opens early for Hummingbird Café. Enjoy breakfast among the native wildflower gardens and hummingbird feeding frenzy. The cost is $10 per person; call 270-924-2020 for reservations.

Nature Station visitors can enter Nature Station’s first ever Hummingbird Photo Contest by submitting a hummingbird photo taken at the Nature Station during August. Winners will have their photos displayed at Hummingbird Fest 2017. See full contest details on the web at http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/nature-station-hummingbird-photo-contest-2016/.

Hummingbird Festival Click for a larger view.
Special programs offered in August include:

 

Contact the Nature Station at 270-924-2299 with questions or for more information about Hummingbird Month.

 

Woodlands Nature Station’s Hummingbird Festival

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Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

Beautiful Hummingbirds at Woodlands Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

If you love birds even half as much as I do, bird-watching isn’t just something you enjoy, it’s something you live for. It isn’t a coincidence that some of my favorite places on earth (Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky State Parks, Woodlands Nature Station, our own yard..) also happen to be the best places to see tons of birds.

The set up at Woodlands Nature Station, in fact, is Heaven on Earth for bird lovers. There are countless hummingbird feeders as well as feeders for every other bird imaginable.  It’s a beautiful place to just sit and enjoy the beauty and gracefulness of these feathered marvels.

Hummingbird Festival

Woodlands Nature Station will host their popular annual Hummingbird Festival, Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, from 10 am – 4 pm. Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration peaks for Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area in August, and there really is no better place to enjoy these beautiful little birds than the Nature Station.

Admission to this special event is $7 ages 13 and up, $5 ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under.

“A large number of hummingbirds stop here on their journey south to Mexico and Central America,” explains Nature Station Lead Naturalist, John Pollpeter. “Up to 200 hummingbirds might visit our feeders in a single day. The festival provides a fun atmosphere for people to see and learn about these powerful birds.”

Highlights include hummingbird banding demonstrations, a wildlife art show, staff-led programs, a native plant sale, live animal encounters, local wildlife experts, and activities for kids. Food prepared by the cooks at Brandon Spring Group Center will be available for purchase.

Weekend events at Nature Station include:
Saturday & Sunday, August 1 & 2 – 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm Hummingbirds 101

Saturday, August 1 – 12pm Benefits of Backyard Bats and 2pm Attracting Butterflies

Sunday, August 2 – 12pm Attracting Songbirds to the Backyard and 2pm A Place for Pollinators
Other special activities focusing on hummingbirds will be presented all month at the Nature Station. Check the LBL’s calendar for more information.

Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

Hummingbird Festival 2014 at Woodlands Nature Station (August 2-3)

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Hummingbird Festival Woodlands Nature Station 2014
Although this festival has expired, there is always something to see and do in the Woodlands Nature Station, as well as in the Land Between the Lakes. Visit our Kentucky Events  page for up to the minute happenings and be sure to check out our Things to Do in Kentucky  page.

 

I can actually remember the very first hummingbird I ever saw. My dad (where I got both my insane love of birds AND coffee from) pointed out a tiny little ball of motion that was hovering near one of his rose beds. When he asked if I knew what it was, I said it looked like the world’s largest dragonfly moving really, really, really fast. When he said it was a “hummingbird,” I thought he was pulling my leg – since it happened to be his favorite sport, it was never out of the question.

My mom backed up his story and a lifelong infatuation with these tiny beauties was born.

If you have an ongoing fascination with hummingbirds, you’ll want to be in the Land Between the Lakes in early August. The Hummingbird Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3, 2014) from 10am to 4pm.

From Woodlands Nature Station and LBL.org:

On-Going Activities:

  • Observe and learn as scientists band hummingbirds for migratory research.
  • Visit with local artists as they demonstrate their craft; buy some art to take home with you.
  • Talk with a local beekeeper as you check out our honeybee observation hive; purchase local bee products.
  • Find out how to attract bluebirds and other wildlife into your backyard; buy some native plants at our sale.
  • Visit the Hummingbird Gift Store to purchase feeders and more.
  • Discover our resident wildlife such as a bald eagle, bobcat, owls, snakes, and our new, red wolf pup.
  • Bring the kids for crafts, games, face painting, and scavenger hunt.

If you like Ruby-Throated hummingbirds, this is the weekend for you! Delight in watching more of these flying gems in one place than you can count! This year, discover “The Art of Hummingbirds,” featuring the artwork of local nature artists, inspired by the tiny hummingbirds and their outdoor neighbors. View a gallery of wildlife art, get tips from the experts, and even try your hand at wildlife photography and illustration. As always, you can also view our ongoing hummingbird banding demonstrations by licensed banders, as well as participate in a variety of programs and activities going on throughout the weekend. Bring the whole family, there will be plenty for kids to do too! Be sure to check back for further updates about the weekend’s schedule of programs and activities.$6 for adults; $4 for kids ages 5-12; Free for ages 4 and under. Event will take place rain or shine.

Click HERE for more information (the PDF will open in a new window).

See Also: How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

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