NEWBURYPORT — Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center, at One Plum Island Turnpike, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mass Audubon members receive discounts on programs. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats. Groups meet at the education center unless otherwise noted.
THE MERRIMACK RIVER EAGLE FESTIVAL
A full day of free activities including live raptor demonstrations, family fun, and guided tours of bald eagle sites. See the website at www.massaudubon.org/eaglefestival for more information. Co-presenter: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Sponsored by The Daily News of Newburyport and Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Festival headquarters at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport; Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport; Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport; Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, 38R Merrimac St., Newburyport, and Lowell's Boat Shop, 459 Main St., Amesbury.
All events are free. Registration is required for guided eagle tours. Call 978-462-9998.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING ON CAPE ANN
Join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and USFWS veteran David Weaver to see the magnificent winter seabirds and ducks around Gloucester and Rockport. Appropriate for all birding levels.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet in Gloucester at the Friendly's restaurant at the first traffic circle on Route 128. Fee is $17. Registration is not required.
AFTER SCHOOL AT JOPPA: ENDANGERED SPECIES ALERT!
Children in grades 1 to 4 are invited to engage in wildlife learning experiences with a different theme each week. Come for one or sign up for the series. Last session.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Fee is $16. Registration is required.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LECTURE: STATE OF THE BIRDS — DOCUMENTING CHANGES IN MASSACHUSETTS' BIRD LIFE
Joppa Flats education coordinator Dave Larson reports on Mass Audubon's findings.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fee is $4. Registration is not required.
HOME-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP: IN SEARCH OF BALD EAGLES
Monthly focus topics for home-schoolers, ages 7 to 12, each with an on-site study session and an exciting field trip. Teacher: Lisa Hutchings.
Thursday, Feb. 16, 12:30 to 3 p.m. Fee is $18. Registration is required.
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING
Weekly trip with experienced leaders in a search for avian activity in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. For beginners and birders of all skill levels.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $10 adults; $7 children ages 8 and up. Registration is not required.
THE WONDER AND THE WOW: BALD EAGLES ALONG THE MERRIMACK RIVER
Family educator Lisa Hutchings takes adults only outside to discover the wonderful world of bald eagles.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Fee is $17. Registration is required.
FOCUS ON SEABIRDS
Explore Cape Ann to find sea ducks, loons, grebes and gulls. Special features: harlequin ducks and perhaps a king eider.
Sunday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee is $25. Registration is required.
FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK FLYBYS AT JOPPA
Teacher-naturalist Lisa Hutchings offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, keeping minds active and hands busy during school break. For ages 2-12. Adults must accompany children.
Dates: Tuesday, Feb. 21, Nature's Mardi Gras Parade, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 22, Caribbean Coral Reef Carnival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 23, Polar Bear & Penguin Splash! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fee is $7. Registration is not required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING
Join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and USFWS veteran David Weaver for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Appropriate for all birding levels.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee is $17. Registration is not required.
ON EXHIBIT: through Feb. 26: "Observations" — Paintings by Newburyport area artists Lully Schwartz, Joan Merrill, and Carol Reynolds
Starts March 4: Photographs by Jim Fenton
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