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Weldon, CA – The sixteenth annual Kern Valley
Autumn Nature & Vulture Festival will be held on
Saturday, September 25th, from 9 am -3 pm at the
Audubon Kern River Preserve in Weldon. The
annual migration of the vultures from their
northern breeding grounds begins in early
September and continues through early October.
Between 1994 through 2006 volunteers counted the
vultures that passed over a single point in the
Kern River Valley, averaging 30,000 vultures
seen during each 40-day period. Although the
official scientific survey has ended the
migration has not. Each year, Audubon and
resident's of the Kern Valley celebrate the
janitors of the earth as they pass through the
valley at this fun and free event.
There will be many interesting booths with
exhibits about nature, a special postal
cancellation designed by John Schmitt, live
animals, workshops and local vendors selling
nature related crafts.
SATURDAY, September 25th
8:30 am-9:30 am. Turkey Vulture Lift Off. Meet
at the Kern River Preserve, Weldon. The vultures
normally leave around 9am
9 am-10:30 am. Bird Walk at the Kern River
Preserve. This is a wonderful introduction to
bird watching. Viewing of the Preserve's
hummingbird and thistle seed feeders. FREE.
9 am - 3 pm. Information Booths, Educational &
Interactive Exhibits. Live lizards & snakes!!!
Displays of local wildlife & plants. Kern River
Preserve. FREE.
9 am-3 pm. U.S. Postal Service Turkey Vulture
Cancellation Station: visit Weldon Postmaster,
Amee Smith who will be on hand to sell specially
stamped envelopes with original John Schmitt
designed Turkey Vulture Festival cancellation
for collectors or personal use up to thirty
days.
9 am - 3 pm. Snakes & Lizards of the Kern River
Valley. Visit with Herp-Ecology as they share
some of the live, native snakes & lizards of the
KRV. FREE.
10 am - 10:30 am. Falconry Demonstration. See a
hybrid goshawk and learn about the art of
falconry.
10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Native Plant Distribution
(pre-ordered). Order your native plants from the
Mountain Desert RCD today and pick them during
the festival.
10:30 am - 11 am. Southern Pacific Pond Turtle
Demonstration. Learn about the Kern River
Preserve's preservation efforts for this rare
species
11 am - 11:30 am. Bird Feeding Workshop. Get
ready for fall and winter bird feeding with
Birdie Foster. Learn about the different types
of feed and how to maintain bird feeders for the
health of our feathered friends.
11 am - 12:30 pm. Bird Walk at the Kern River
Preserve. This is a wonderful introduction to
bird watching. Viewing of the Preserve's
hummingbird and thistle seed feeders. FREE.
11:30 am - 1 pm. LIVE MUSIC from "Small Town
Media" Kern Valley favorites will play acoustic
songs to delight the crowds. Bring your folding
chair or blanket and sit down to enjoy this
talented trio. Although this concert is FREE,
Valerie and Scott intend that this is a
fundraiser on behalf of the Kern River Preserve
and the Turkey Vulture Festival so donations are
heartily welcome. FREE.
NOON - 1 pm. No Host Picnic at the Preserve.
Bring lunch and enjoy the music and a talk from
USFWS naturalists.
12:30 pm - 1 pm. WORKSHOP: California Condor
Update - Vulture Workshop, with the USFWS Condor
Recovery Program. Bring your folding chair or
blanket and sit down and enjoy. FREE.
1 pm - 2 pm. Fall Colors and Butterflies. Alison
Sheehey, will lead a walk
around the nature trail to enjoy the colors and
the butterflies that nectar on fall flowers.
Join
us at Audubon's Kern River Preserve - 18747
Highway 178 - Weldon, CA from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on
Saturday, September 25th for a day of free
workshops, music and nature walks. Visit the
festival webpage to find out more;
http://kern.audubon.org/tvfest_activities.htm
For
more information email or call Audubon Kern
River Preserve at
rtollefson@audubon.org or
(760) 378-2531.
About Audubon Kern River Preserve |
