Birds and Bards Festival packed with events June 1-3


Courtesy Photo
Kids enjoy thew Birds and Bards Festival last year

The annual Birds and Bards Festival will usher in the warm months by celebrating migrating birds, music, poetry and nature. The weekend of events is co-sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition, Franklin Park Zoo, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, the Massachusetts Audubon’s Boston Nature Center, Forest Hills Cemetery, Zoo New England, Brookline Bird Club, Studios Without Walls and the Boston Parents Paper.

The events take place at Franklin Park, the Boston Nature Center and Forest Hills Cemetery, all of which are in or very close to the Forest Hills/Parkside/Woodbourne neighborhoods of JP. Visitors are encouraged to take a picnic to enjoy outdoors between events. Events are free unless otherwise noted.

Fri., June 1, Franklin Park

BIRD WALKS, Learn how to spot and identify birds with an expert guide during a morning walk exploring Franklin Park. All birding levels are welcome, from the most casual of birders to experts! Bring binoculars if you have them. Morning Bird Walk, 7 a.m. Meet inside Forest Hills entrance at Resting Place picnic area across from Shattuck Hospital. Dusk Family Bird Walk, 6 to 7:30 p.m.? Meet in front of William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse at Franklin Park.

MOVIE: WINGED MIGRATION, 7:30 p.m. ?Watch a mesmerizing movie featuring incredible up-close photography of migrating birds during their long journeys through the air. William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse at Franklin Park.
Sat., June 2, Boston Nature Center,? 500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan

BREAKFAST AND BIRDS, 9 a.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast and hear Mass Audubon’s bird expert, Wayne Petersen, discuss “Global Warming: How Migratory Birds are Affected by Climate Change.”

LIVE RAPTORS: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!, 10 a.m.? Experience the beauty and strength of live hawks and owls

KEEPER OF THE SPIRIT, THE OWL WOMAN, 11 a.m. ?Take part in an interactive program of Native American legends, drumming and singing presented by Native American storyteller and teacher Pat Bade.

GUIDED TOUR OF “ART ON THE WING: A MIGRATORY GROUP SCULPTURE INSTALLATION,” Noon. Meet the artists! Explore this outdoor installation art exhibit with several sculptors from Studio Without Walls. Walk the trails of the Boston Nature Center and examine creative works of bird art. Sculptures are large and small and made of materials from metal to plaster. Exhibit is on display now through June 3. For more info, go to www.studioswithoutwalls.org.

Sat., June 2, Franklin Park

A POETIC LANDSCAPE, 4 p.m. Visit the heart of beautiful Franklin Park and read some wonderful poems about its unique history and features. Co-led by Christine Poff, director of the Franklin Park Coalition, and Mark Swartz, Park Ranger and VIP Coordinator for the Fredrick Law Olmstead National Historic Site. Meet at Valley Gates Parking Area, Circuit Drive near Pierpont Road.
Sun., June 3, Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave.

MORNING BIRD WALK, 7 a.m., Learn how to spot and identify birds with an expert guide during a morning walk exploring Franklin Park. All birding levels are welcome, from the most casual of birders to experts! Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet inside the cemetery’s main gate.

WALKING TOUR, 10 a.m. “Sanctuaries In The City: The Garden Cemetery And The Olmsted Park.”? Learn about and observe the parallels and contrasts between one of the first major garden cemeteries and the last of Olmsted’s great urban pleasure grounds. Discover the past, present and future of this site and marvel at its beauty and serenity! Meets inside the cemetery’s main gate.

FAMILY CONCERT WITH CHAMELEON ARTS ENSEMBLE, 2 p.m. “And Nature’s Sweet Music.” Join the award-winning Chameleon Arts Ensemble for a lively program of chamber music inspired by places near and far—a tropical jungle, a waterfall in Japan, a busy city street in Brazil, and neighborhoods right here in Boston. After the show, children can try out the instruments – violin, marimba, flute and more. For children ages 6 and up and their families. Free for children/$10 adults/$8 for Forest Hills Educational Trust Members. Reserve tickets at 524-3354 or [email protected] and receive a free concert guide in the mail before the show!

POETRY READING, 4 p.m.? The Jamaica Pond Poets and Friends?. A late afternoon outdoor poetry reading celebrating the festival themes of birds and nature. Bring a favorite poem—your own or someone else’s – about birds, nature and life to read during an “open mic” at the end. Meets at the Victorian Garden, a short walk from the main gate.

From sponsor websites.

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