Celebrate Nebraska Bird Month with us at beautiful Ponca State Park over Memorial Day weekend! See our daily event schedule for ongoing activities from Friday to Sunday below.

Friday, May 23

Location: River Bluff Room in the Resource & Education Center

5 p.m. – Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center’s Raptor Program — Join a Naturalist with Woodbury County Conservation for a raptor program and an opportunity to meet the ambassador owls from the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Harlan and Lucia are permanent residents who were injured in the wild and not able to be released. 

Cost: $2/person

7:15 p.m. – Owl Pellets — Learn how owls swallow their prey whole and then regurgitate the undigestible material; the owl pellet. Participants will be given an owl pellet to investigate, dissect, and ID.

Cost: $3/kit; Pre-register and pay at the Resource and Education Center 8 a.m.–7 p.m.

Saturday, May 24

8:30 a.m. – Birds & Binoculars — Join a naturalist to learn how to use binoculars for bird viewing, borrow a pair from us or bring your own. We’ll take a short walk to frequently visited bird feeders and popular perching spots for a chance to see the many species that call Ponca State Park home. This activity is free. Meet in the Display Wing of the Resource and Education Center.

10 a.m. – Gonna Find Me A Bluebird — Learn about the Bluebirds that spend the summer at Ponca State Park. Discuss bluebird life, history, and habitat needs. Inspect bluebird boxes, observe nests, eggs, and both adult and young birds. Receive plans to build your own bluebird boxes and discuss suggestions on best locations to install boxes. This activity is free. Meet at the Resource & Education Center.

11:30 a.m. – Build Your Own Birdfeeder — Learn about the birds that live around Ponca State Park! Create a pinecone and peanut butter feeder to take back to your cabin or home.

Cost: $2/kit; Pre-register and pay at the Resource & Education Center 8 a.m.–11:20 a.m. Meet behind the Resource & Education Center.

1:30pm Build Your Own Wren House — House Wrens are a small, very active and inquisitive bird with a rich bubbling song. Construct a wren house to take home and place in your own yard. They are comfortable nesting near human dwellings. Wood is precut and some of the construction is already started. Necessary tools and other required items are provided. Children will need adult supervision to complete construction using basic hand tools. Meet behind the Resource and Education Center.
Cost: $10/kit; Pre-register and pay at the Resource & Education Center 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Only supplies for 8 wren houses left!

3 p.m. – Birds, Beaks, and Feathers — Join a naturalist as we examine birds, beaks, and feathers of several study specimens and learn about the unique adaptations of different birds that you can find in or around Ponca State Park. This activity is free. Meet in the Display Wing of the Resource and Education Center.

Sunday, May 25

9 a.m. – Birding at the Backwaters — Join us for a morning of birding! We will meet at the Backwater Trail located near the Riverfront Campground for a short walk and use binoculars to observe different bird species along the Missouri River Backwaters. Borrow a pair of binoculars or bring your own. This activity is free.
All levels of experience with birding and binoculars are welcome. Dress for the weather and meet at the Backwater Trail.