There is a free activity happening this weekend that allows people to learn about different species of birds in their natural habitat.

The Raccoon River Watershed Association is encouraging Greene County residents to participate in a birding event at Dunbar Slough Saturday and Sunday morning. Local bird expert Matt Wetrich is part of an expedition that is hosted by Carroll County Conservation and the Iowa Ornithological Association, which includes several different field trips, one being at Dunbar Slough. 

Wetrich describes the type of environment that Dunbar Slough provides.

“One of the gems in the state. It is really one of the top birding places in all of Iowa and we attract people from all of the state. We’ve got wetland habitat there, upland habitat, prairie habitat. It’s a great blast from the past if you will and it’s utilized by a couple hundred species of birds.”   

Participants are asked to meet at the bridge on 270th Street, near A Avenue by Dunbar Slough. You may also bring your own binoculars and a camera looking for birds in the public viewing areas. The event starts at 8am both mornings and will take 3-4 hours. It is free and open to the public.