BIRD FEST

Saturday, June 22 | 5:30am - 1pm

FREE for All

Open Trails | Artist Workshops | Food Vendors

Celebrate nature, art, and citizen science

  • A birder looks through binoculars while a friend looks on.

    Birding for All

    Hawkins Loop offers more than 50 acres of pasture and old growth forest, heavily populated by a wide range of birds and wildlife. Explore a priority block of the North Carolina Bird Atlas and add your own observations to this citizen science initiative!

  • Watercolor painting of a feather

    Make and Take Art

    Hawkins Loop artists-in-residence, Shawna Arnold and Virginia Christman, will share their decades of experience as professional artists and educators in hands-on, all-ages workshops.

  • Pony Up Cafe Coffee Trailer serves a happy birder

    Fresh Coffee, Donuts and More

    Fuel up and cool down with coffee, tea, seasonal donuts, sandwiches, snacks, and more from our fabulous food partners: Pony Up Cafe, Madison Avenue Caterers, and The Butcher’s Daughter Market and Deli.

  • Pasture trails

    Open Trails

    Pasture and wooded trails will be marked to provide guests easy access for walking and biking, in addition to designated observation areas with accessible seating. Feel free to bring your own picnic blankets or chairs.

  • Watercolor painting of a feather

    Quiet Hours: 5:30am - 7:30am

    Watch the natural world wake up as the sun rises over the pond. Intentionally designed for quiet movement and reflection, please enjoy the trails for walking, birding, photography, journaling, meditation, or yoga.

  • Person County Tourism Development Authority

    Community Partners

    Person County Friends of the Parks will share more information about other outdoor recreation opportunities in our area. While you’re here, check out The Kirby Cultural Arts Complex or nearby farms with the Visit NC Farms app. Thank you to the Person County TDA for your support!

Saturday, June 22

Hurdle Mills, NC

Get to Know Your Birds!

  • Merlin Bird ID App

    Identify the birds you see or hear with the Merlin Bird ID app, featuring a global bird guide with photos, sounds, maps, and more. Answer three simple questions about a bird you are trying to identify and Merlin will give you a list of possible matches.

  • North Carolina Bird Atlas

    The NC Bird Atlas is a 5-year effort to map the location and breeding status of birds throughout North Carolina. Hawkins Loop is a priority observation area and your sightings contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions and help inform bird research worldwide.