Wings Over Muscatatuck is a free educational event held annual for bird watchers and nature lovers sponsored by the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society.

Held every spring at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, this festival celebrates the bird migration that normally peaks in Indiana the second week of May. Activities will be held at the refuge on Friday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to noon and on Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, May 12, there will be a special birding tour of Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge starting at the Big Oaks Office near Madison (advance registration only).

On Friday morning, May 10, there will be a guided Birding Trip in a van exploring the refuge and its birds. Space is limited so advance registration is required, call 812-522-4352 ext. 12.

On Saturday, May 11, there will be a full day of birding activities including bird walks, crane program, management tour, hawks and owl program with live birds, wetlands/woods guided walk and a guided tour of the refuge’s closed area.

There will also be an awards ceremony for Indiana Junior Duck Contest winners. Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge has five easy hiking trails (some handicapped accessible) for bird watching and exploring the scenic beauty.

Wings Over Muscatatuck also invites children and adults to enjoy the day;s other fun bird related activities including Birdhouse Building for Kids, rock painting with the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, Plein Art Painting with Kay Fox (for advance registration text 812-216-5969), face painting, a bird cake walk and may other bird-focused educational activities.

Most children’s activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Visitors will also find lots of treasures at the native plant sale, silent auction, and the Nature Center Bookstore Gift Shop. Morning muffins, snacks and lunch will be available.

On Sunday, May 12, a guided birding tour by van will leave from the Big Oaks NWR Office at 8 a.m. Call 812-522-4352 ext. 12 to reserve a spot on the van.

Entries are now being accepted until May 4 for the Wings Photography Contest. Entry forms are available at the refuge Visitor Center or by emailing [email protected].

For more information visit the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society and refuge Facebook pages, check out eh refuge website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Muscatatuck, or call 812-522-4352 ext. 12.