The Ladd Marsh Birdathon is an uncrowded, non-competitive birding opportunity for the family – And it’s free!
The Ladd Marsh Birdathon is held at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area located about 7 miles south of La Grande, Oregon. Partners in presenting the Birdathon include the Eastern Oregon University Biology Club, Friends of Ladd Marsh, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Grande Ronde Model Watershed, Union County Tourism and a number of local businesses.
The event is scheduled at the height of spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley and to commemorate International Migratory Bird Day. Few, if any, places in Union County have a more diverse bird population than can be found at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Over 200 species of birds either visit or live permanently at Ladd Marsh.
ONLY ON THIS WEEKEND, birders have the opportunity to explore areas of the wildlife area generally closed to the public providing increased opportunities to see an abundance of ducks, geese, raptors, passerines and shore birds.
While many birders prefer to explore the area on their own, a number of birding stations will be staffed by local birders on Saturday to assist novice birders in finding and identifying birds. Also included in the event are evening presentations, field trips and a kid’s corner where young people can build a bird or bat house, sign up to become a Junior Birder or participate in other fun activities. Registration is required but is free.
Download a pdf of a brochure with details about the 2012 Bird-a-thon here.
