new river gorge birding Archives - Opossum Creek Retreat

Bird Fest, Best Fest

“The Festival.”

Thats what we call it. The official name is “The New River Birding and Nature Festival.”

I have to say, it is as fun for me to help organize the event as it is to go birding all week. We love doing it. Even the week-long frenzy of chores, like putting the tent up, shopping and gardening, and cooking for 80-90 people per night.

We even have our own version of “Chopped,” without all the stress. Our version involves bringing new recipes/dishes in to share at lunch, then deciding which are selected to be prepared during the festival. This year’s surprise winner was the homemade vegan ice cream! Yep, I just said that. We knew we had a winner when, while staring at 4 great flavors, the kids picked IT for seconds, and thirds, and is it all gone? We saw the same thing happen during the festival, and ended up making it several nights. It was soooo good!

The funny thing: I am not the only one who finds joy in the event as much as or more than the birds. You want to know how I know this?

Enjoying the Birding Festival with small, intimate outings.

There were no birds this year. Yet it was “the best one yet,” according to a long-time repeat guest.

We saw birds. It was not really NO birds, just not what we are used to. The Migration was late. Heck, the whole spring was late. The Amazing Jim McCormac put it at a full 2 weeks delayed. So while we saw some birds and some cool plants, everyone had a great time. A really great time. I was reluctant to mention it, fearing I would jinx something. But by the weekend, it was clear we had just pulled off another amazing week with wonderful guides and guests, and we can’t wait to do it again next year.

Dang! How are we going to top that one?

Want to Know More about the Birding and Nature Festival?

The New River Birding & Nature Festival in West Virginia

Hello,

Birding and nature festivals have boomed over the past decade here in the USA. I co-founded the New River Birding and Nature Festival 13 years ago to help boost tourism in our off-season, and raise money for nature-based, hands-on school-age education.

While some events boast up to 5,000 participants, like the biggest day in birding and the Space Coast festival, ours is small and intimate with a back-porch feel. We provide guided trips with no more than 20 guests and 4 guides per trip. We are famous for finding wood warblers singing on-territory.

Get an up-close look at the New River Gorge’s wildlife.

Each day after our field trips, we have 2 presentations: the “popcorn talk,” which is a casual, short program by one of our guides/authors, and the evening keynote after a home-cooked dinner. All of the guides are well-known stars of the birding world, and most of them are authors. We pay a lot of attention to the ecosystem and our area’s rich coal mining history. Most of our trips are in and around the New River National River in Southern West Virginia. This area is under the protection of the National Parks System.

The proceeds from this event are used to fund a 501c3 non-profit organization called the Fayette County Education Fund. This organization sponsors the Fayette County Leadership Program for high school juniors. This is a competitive admission program, and only 12 students are accepted from across the county to take part in the year-long curriculum. All graduates receive a $1,000 scholarship. We also provide hands-on field trips, studying our local environment for hundreds of elementary and middle school-aged children, plus weekend programing for the public.

All of this is made possible because people love spending time together enjoying nature in a fun and informative setting.

You can learn more on our homepage at www.birding-wv.com. Or, feel free to contact me.

Enjoy!

Geoff
(888) 488-4836
Managing Partner, Opossum Creek Retreat www.opossumcreek.com
President, Fayette County Education Fund
Co-founder, New River Birding and Nature Festival

Learn Beginner Bird Banding in the Gorge!

Birds and Opossum Creek Retreat have a long history.

A warbler from the nets at the New River Birding and Nature Festival.

For twelve years now, Opossum Creek has hosted the New River Birding and Nature Festival,which has evolved into an event that has a wonderful “back porch” kind of feel— like a family reunion with a family you would hand pick for yourself.

From the very beginning, bird banding has been a part of the festival. This year, we are taking it to another level: Opossum Creek Retreat and the Institute for Bird Populations are teaming up to offer our first ever “Beginner Bird Banding Class” Aug. 18-24 here in The New River Gorge.

Bird banding helps us learn more about the birds we love, understand their behavior and their habitat needs. With the information gleaned from banding, we are able to address environmental issues that have an impact on our feathered friends.

Now, there’s a whole lot more that we learn from the info gathered, but you can read more about that from a more accurate source, like the Institute for Bird Populations.

You too can learn more about our feathered friends! There are still a few spots left. For info on the class, call Keith at 888-488-4836.

Beginner Bird Banding Class details

August 18th- 24th at Opossum Creek Retreat $1,800.00 per person; includes all class materials, instructors’ fees, lodging and meals.

At Opossum Creek Retreat for the Birding & Nature Festival

The class will begin on the afternoon of Aug. 18 and end after banding Sunday, Aug. 24.

Each day, we will be in the field at sunrise and work the nets for 5-6 hours. Then, we will have lunch (1 hour), and a 2-3 hour classroom session, followed by a break and then dinner.

There will be some “homework.” Information and details of course materials can be found at the IBP website.

Proper field attire is necessary. (Mud boots and rain gear, too). We are in the woods. Mosquito and ticks are present.

FACILITIES & LODGING

Opossum Creek Retreat is nestled uniquely just minutes from theNew River Gorge National River in South-Central West Virginia.

Interacting with the birds at the festival

Classroom activities will be held in the 1,000 square-foot meeting /great room of the Meadows Cabin. Lodging in the Meadows Cabin is included in the registration fee. Each registrant will have his/her own private room (all linens and towels are provided). There are 3 full bathrooms to share.

There are several other private cabins available at an additional fee if you would like your own cabin.

There is a guest laundry available for your convenience during your stay.

Also included in the registration fee is a continental breakfast, lunch and a home-cooked dinner each day. Please let us know of any dietary needs or issues upon registration.

REGISTRATION

Class is Limited to 8 people, with a minimum of 6. Full payment is due upon registration. To register, contact Keith at 888-488-4836. Please do not book your flights until the class minimum is met.