The Libby Dam Visitor Center is hosting a biologist from Birds of Prey NW along with several diverse birds to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day and National Kids to Parks Day on Sunday, May 31.Â
This year, emphasis will be “Owls, nature's night shift.†The formal presentations with live birds will be at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Those who plan on attending are asked to arrive early because seating is limited.
Libby Dam Visitor Center will also be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Throughout the day there will be self-paced, kid-friendly activities including an opportunity to make an owl craft or dissect a sterile owl pellet, while supplies last. All children must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian at all times. Children over the age of 8 can earn a Junior Ranger Badge by completing a workbook available in the Visitor Center.
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If you enjoy watching wildlife, bring your binoculars and look for the nesting osprey and eagles downstream of the dam as well as songbirds and waterbirds along the Kootenai River below Libby Dam. Picnic tables are available nearby in Souse Gulch and around the Visitor Center.
The visiting raptors are under the care of biologist Janie Veltkamp, of the nonprofit Birds of Prey NW.
Janie has studied and worked with birds of prey for over 20 years, nursing injured birds back to health.
She has also been instrumental in helping re-establish viable populations of endangered raptors such as ospreys and peregrine falcons. Birds of Prey Northwest travels with live birds as “animal ambassadors†to help educate the public and raise awareness of the issues facing wildlife today. www.bopnw.org
Libby Dam Visitor Center is located at 260 Souse Gulch Road, approximately 17 miles north of Libby.
For more information, please contact Park Ranger Susan James at 406-293-5577.
