Looking for something fun to do with your kids this spring and summer?  Combine education with fun by taking the kids to do a little bird watching! Spring migration is just around the corner and places such as the Idaho Bird Observatory, Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, and the World Center for Birds of Prey are excellent for teaching children about bird migration.

        The Idaho Bird Observatory (IBO) is a nonprofit research center funded through donations to the Boise State University Foundation. The IBO has a long-term project established at Lucky Peak to count the number of migrating raptors each fall, in addition to researching migration routes, wintering areas, and breeding areas of migrating birds. The IBO research site at Lucky Peak is open daily from July 15–October 31.

        Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), located about 20 miles south of Boise, covers 600,000 total acres and is home to 24 different raptor species. The Spring Hike Series held on Saturdays from April through June explores the NCA’s plants, animals, geology, and cultural history.  In addition, the NCA offers Environmental Education Days for grades 4–6 to give teachers and students an opportunity to learn about the desert ecosystem. The Snake River Birds of Prey Festival is taking place

May 14–16 in Kuna, with lectures and tours available. You can learn more about the festival at www.snakeriverbirdsofpreyfestival.com.

        The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center at the World Center for Birds of Prey features a courtyard of native and non-native birds, daily raptor presentations, interactive exhibits, and falconry tours. On May 8 the center is celebrating International Migratory Bird Day and will host a variety of family activities. The center is open from March through October from 9am–5pm.

Janelle DiOrio is a freelance writer in the Boise area.

Idaho Bird Observatory
Off Idaho 21, north of Lucky Peak Dam. Visit their website for driving conditions and directions. www.idahobirdobservatory.org

Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
Access through Kuna: take Swan Falls Road south out of Kuna, stop at Dedication Point, then go down into the canyon at either Swan Falls Dam or Celebration Park. http://blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/four_rivers/special_areas/snake_river_birds.htmlbirdsofpreyexpeditions.com

World Center for Birds of Prey
5668 West Flying Hawk Lane
www.peregrinefund.org