July 19, 2018 500 AM
FORT DAVIS – The Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration, an annual birding festival, is being held this year from August 23-26 in Fort Davis,situated in the beautiful Davis Mountains.
The Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration is held annually in August to celebrate the variety of hummingbirds that migrate through the region. There are 17 species of hummingbirds that have been identified in the Fort Davis region. The event was originally organized as a means of bringing attention to the little birds as they passed through the area, but it soon expanded to celebrating all birds during their fall migration. Many local residents and ranches participate in the event by hosting field trips and birding opportunities.
“The Hummingbird Celebration is a very popular event with over 200 participants and attracts dedicated birders from across the nation,” says Chamber Director Melissa Henderson. “This year’s online general registration sold out in one weekend, but there is still availability for area locals to participate in some field trips and banding demonstrations.”
During the Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration participants have an opportunity to learn more about hummingbirds as well as other birds. The festival includes daily talks about hummingbird habitats, migration, identification and feeding. Also there will be hummingbird banding demonstrations, digiscoping classes and a whole lot more.
The celebration also offers several informative tour options. For example, visitors can take a tour to see hummingbirds at a local home, with feeders and native shrubs that attract the tiny birds. The celebration also offers birding trips to places such as Christmas Mountains Oasis where Lucifer Hummingbirds abound, the Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve where hikes will be led by expert birders and the Sproul Ranch where visitors will be treated to canyon tours, hikes and birds. A tour of mountain hummingbird gardens is scheduled where visitors will see hummingbirds in action at native plants and feeders. These are just a few of the wonderful trips planned for the participating birders.
In between field trips and speakers, participants can check out events being held at the historic Hotel Limpia on the town square. The Silent Auction will offer the opportunity to bid on framed bird photos, beautiful pottery, paintings by local artists and other wonderful items. While there, participants can attend the Vendor Show where specialty items can be purchased such as bird feeders, binoculars, scopes and native plants.
In addition to the celebration, local organization, “The Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library” is sponsoring an art and photography contest featuring what else—hummingbirds! Many of these works of art will be available for purchase following the Art Show’s reception on Saturday, August 25th. The Friends’ Hummingbird Art Competition is currently accepting art entries. For information visit www.fortdavis.com.
Area locals are invited to attend the Celebration’s Hummingbird Bandings, open field trips, Silent Auction and Vendor Show. For information about open field trips contact Chamber Director Melissa Henderson at 432-426-3015 or by emailing [email protected].
Banding demonstrations are open to the public Friday and Saturday, August 24th and 25th at the Davis Mountains Preserve or McDonald Observatory. The demonstrations begin both days at 8:30a.m. Admission for children attending banding demonstrations is free. Adults recommended donation is $10 per individual. The Silent Auction and Vendor Show will be located at the Hotel Limpia’s Ballroom and Veranda during the Celebration.
The celebration is sponsored by the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, West Texas Avian Research, Inc. (WTAR), Celestron optics, and other friends. Porter’s Thriftway regional office and Porter’s Fort Davis are helping by providing sugar for hummingbird feeders used at banding and viewing sites.
