Annual migration celebration in a transition zone in NW Minnesota. The Detroit Lakes area is located where tallgrass prairie meets northern hardwood and conifer forests, and is peppered with lakes and wetlands. Virtual educational programs are via Zoom. Leading off the festival Thursday, Randy Kolka provides updates on the SPRUCE Climate Change Experiment in northern MN where we witness the changes of increased temperatures and addition of carbon dioxide to ten large chambers. Sharpen your warbler I.D. skills through Kevin Karlson’s virtual presentation. Conclude Thursday with Mike Havlick’s Hawk I.D. Celebrate some of the nation’s top photographic images of Birds of Prey during Kevin Karlson’s Friday evening virtual presentation. Wind up the festival with a long-overdue belly-laugh with humorist Al Batt. Field trips, practicing social distancing, will include Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Felton Prairie. Experienced leaders will guide participants through changing habitats with expected looks at Greater Prairie Chickens, LeConte’s Sparrows, Bobolinks, several species of warblers including Golden-winged, Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Magpies, Western Meadowlarks, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, Loggerhead Shrikes, Marbled Godwits, Upland Sandpipers and Chestnut-collard Longspurs.

