Take a free guided birding bike ride, watch a free film and take advantage of free bird crafts and Refuge Nature Store specials at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2 in honor of National Bird Day.
The two-hour, four-mile birding bike tour will depart from the flagpole in front of the Visitor & Education Center at 9 a.m. to take in Wildlife Drive and Indigo Trail. Bring your own bike. The first 20 to show up will receive a 10 percent discount coupon for the Refuge Nature Store.
From noon to 1 p.m., the education team will lead take-home crafts in the center. A showing of the film “Dancing with the Birds” will follow at 1:15 p.m.
Since Wildlife Drive is closed on Friday, which is the true National Bird Day, we are celebrating the day prior,” Conservation Educator Sara Hallas said. “We hope to draw attention to the growing challenges bird populations face today.”
The full free schedule will include:
– 9 to 11 a.m.: Guided birding bike tour
– Noon to 1 p.m.: Bird crafts in the Visitor & Education Center classroom
– 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.” Showing of “Dancing with the Birds” in the Visitor & Education Center auditorium
For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 236 or visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events.