AMERICAN FALLS — According to Kurtis Workman, bird watchers from around the region have know for years that American Falls is an ideal destination to watch avian wildlife.
“We’re terribly unique because we are in the direct path of migratory birds,” said Kurtis Workman, president of the Greater American Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber and numerous area businesses will be looking to benefit from this unique natural feature of the town by hosting the first American Falls Birding Festival this Saturday.
The festival will be a daylong event for both beginner and experienced bird watchers to view firsthand the various bird species that use American Falls as a habitat.
“One of the things we are trying to emphasize is that we want to make it friendly to novices,” said Workman. “We will show people at the festival how to use binoculars, how to document and report and describe what birds they will see.”
Though the town has hosted bird watching festivals in the past, Saturday’s event will be the first that isn’t focused just on one species.
Local business leaders hope that the festival will help diversify the town’s tourism revenues. Currently, American Falls’ biggest attraction to travelers is the reservoir, but a year with poor water flow can potentially cost the town millions in lost revenue.
“The original knee-jerk reaction is to push the reservoir and that we need to push fishing, boating and skiing,” said Workman. “But we can’t depend on the water, the water is very fickle. We can’t depend on it as a consistent resource of revenue.”
Wildlife tourism is a booming industry for many states. Workman says that Montana generates hundreds of millions of dollars each year from this sector, with around $38 million coming from bird watching enthusiasts.
“All you need are some binoculars and a handbook, the rest of the money is going to local businesses for fuel, lodging and food,” said Workman.
Chamber member Havilah Lyon says that the city is planning a nonmotorized trail that would be ideal for bird watching traversing from Seagull Bay to Massacre Rocks.
“If we can get this, it will be a boon for bird watching in the area,” she said.
Lyon points to the Rudeen Ranch Hummingbird Roundup held on June 1 as proof of the economic potential birders can bring to the region. Despite its isolated location south of American Falls, Lyon says the event attracts around 1,000 visitors each year from across the United States.
“People plan their vacations around this event,” she said about the roundup.
Saturday’s viewings will take place along the reservoir, the American Falls Fish Hatchery and the Audubon Birding Trail. On Saturday, Sept. 27, another birding festival will be held to give bird watchers a chance to see different species in the fall.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration will take place at the American Falls Public Library at 308 Roosevelt Street on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Those attending will receive birdfeed and a customized bird watching pocketbook that gives descriptions of bird species in the local area as gifts.
Attendees are encouraged to bring good walking shoes, binoculars, water and sunblock.
American Falls Birding Festival Schedule
Date: Saturday, June 14
7 to 9 a.m. – Free Registration at the American Falls Public Library
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Birding with group leaders at the American Falls Fish Hatchery and Audubon Birding Trail
12:30 – 2 p.m. – Lunch at The Bay restaurant at the Willow Bay Marina, 20 percent discount coupons (or bring your own lunch), and a birding talk in the park.
2 – 4 p.m. – Birding at the Willow Bay Recreation Area along the paved bike path and general area.
4 – 5 p.m. – Bird presentation at the American Falls Library!
**Late afternoon party for 18-plus year old festival participants at 13 Bottles at 130 Harrison Street, American Fall