Ponce Inlet, FL- Celebrate Volusia County’s magnificent birds during the 12th annual
Bird Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Volusia County’s
Marine Science Center, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet.
Attendees can meet glove-trained birds of prey, learn about bird
migration, and visit booths staffed by nature groups and crafters.
Bird Fest also will feature music, children’s activities and food
vendors.
Visitors may take free tours of the Marine Science Center and its Mary
Kelly Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary, which provides treatment for
injured and sick birds. The wooden boardwalk leading to the sanctuary
features live displays of bald eagles, brown pelicans and other birds
that are injured and permanently live at the sanctuary.
The event will culminate with the release of rehabilitated birds at 3
p.m. at Lighthouse Point Park, a five-minute walk from the Marine
Science Center. The release is dependent upon the birds’ medical
conditions.
Bird Fest is sponsored by Wayne’s Solar, Alexis Lenssen and Raymond
James, Ritter’s Frozen Custard, and the Friends of Marine Science
Center.
Since the Marine Science Center opened in 2002, more than 900,000
visitors have been educated about marine life and staff has cared for
more than 17,000 sea turtles, gopher tortoises, freshwater turtles and
snakes. The seabird rehabilitation sanctuary has received 14,000 birds
since it opened in 2004.
The goal for all animals that come to the Marine Science Center is to
be rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild, said
Manager Michael Brothers.
For more information about Bird Fest or other programs at the Marine
Science Center, visit www.marinesciencecenter.com or call 386-304-5545.
