The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting its 13th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, July 30 at Sipe Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar. This year’s event will help celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that has had significant impact on conserving the nation’s migratory bird species. The High Country Hummingbird Festival will be one of the featured events in the state to celebrate this important milestone.
The free, family-friendly festival will include:
- hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO)
- plant displays for attracting hummingbirds
- live wildlife from the department’s Wildlife Center
- wildlife walk with a naturalist
- activities and talks designed for children
- informational talks about hummingbirds, and
- a workshop on photographing hummingbirds.
While the festival is free to the public, the department is asking attendees to consider donating new, unopened bags of pure cane sugar to help feed all of these magnificent birds. Every year, Sipe uses up to 700 pounds of sugar to make the hummingbird food for the feeders around the property. A donation station will be set up in the Visitor’s Center.
The event starts at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.
The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce will be providing breakfast items and lunch concessions for purchase.
Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.
For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/hummingbird.shtml, follow this event and other local wildlife recreation-related events and programs on the Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Region Facebook page, or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at (928) 532-3680.