Providing unique birdwatching experiences since 2013.
April 25-27, 2025 Schedule
Friday, April 25 | Saturday, April 26 | Sunday, April 27
Information about the 2025 Hatchie BirdFest will be updated as it is confirmed.
Save the Date and Plan to Join Us!
All times are listed for Central Time Zone
2025 Hatchie BirdFest is an in-person events, a few pre-recorded sessions may be available. Some events may require registration. Most events are free. Schedule details will be added as they are confirmed.
All in-person events originate at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, Brownsville Tennessee. In-person hikes and nature walks will require participants to pre-register.
We are in the Central Time Zone and all virtual (Facebook Live) event times, if applicable, are also listed in Central time.
The schedule is subject to change and many in-person events are subject to weather conditions, as well.
Experienced and beginner birders are invited to join leading bird experts on hikes in the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and other areas in the region. Please choose the hike that is best for you; taking into account the time the hikes will spend in the field.
Participants will caravan or carpool during the hikes/walks. This also means you will be able to leave the group at any point.
There are no costs for the guided hikes, but space is limited. Please pre-register to guarantee your spot on the hike of your choice. And come prepared - this includes binoculars, bug spray and staying hydrated. Extra water is always good to have.
All participants must read and sign a Liability Release for the hikes/nature walks. You will be asked to confirm that you have read and understand all the risks before submitting your registration form.
Friday, April 25
12th Annual Hatchie BirdFest
10a-12p: Kayak Oneal Lake
Join the Hatchie River Conservancy's beautification and tour on O'Neal Lake! Paddle, clean litter, and learn about the ecosystem.
Limited kayaks available.
You must pre-register at this link to reserve a kayak … https://20250425HRC.eventbrite.com
Kayaks courtesy of Blues City Kayaks.
Not interested in being in a kayak but would still like to be a part of the beatification efforts. Just arrive at Oneal Lake on the Hatchie Refuge by 10 am.
Sponsored by Ford & BlueOval City and Hatchie River Conservancy.
Hatchie BirdFest Kick-Off
Reception, Music, and Guest Speakers
LOCATION:
Historic Temple Adas Israel
140 North Washington
Brownsville TN 38012
The Dirt Pilgrims
In Concert 5:30 pm
The “Dirt Pilgrims,” a folk-Americana cover band, was started by three professors from Jackson State Community College, James Mayo, Associate Professor of English, John Koons, Associate Professor of Biology, Bob Raines, Professor of Psychology, and Victor Garcia, the JSCC Web Administrator and Adjunct Professor, in 2007. They share a love of acoustic music, and perform an eclectic mix of songs written by some of their favorite artists: Woody Guthrie, John Prine, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Flogging Molly, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Josh Ritter, Old Crow Medicine Show...
“Dirt Pilgrims blends bluegrass, folk, country, and rock elements into a fusion of mellow acoustic brilliance.” Matt Meyer, musician and music promoter.
Feature Presentation
6:30 pm:
Birding as Outdoor Recreation
Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world, and particularly in the United States and Canada. People of all ages and backgrounds are picking up binoculars and finding the fascinating world of birds. Many of those people are traveling now just to see birds in a different region. This presentation will explore how the department of tourism is providing information about birds to people visiting our state and county.
Bird watching has a rich history in Tennessee and included in that history is how our state bird, the mockingbird, was chosen. We will take a look at that history, as well.
PRESENTERS:
Jenni Veal, Outdoor Tourism Development Manager, Tennessee Department of Tourism
Bob Ford, Hatchie River Conservancy Director and Wildlife Biologist
Saturday, April 26
Remember: All in person events begin at the WT Delta Heritage Center, 121 Sunny Hill Cove, Brownsville TN.
Please be prepared to caravan for hikes/walks and bring plenty of water, bug spray and your binoculars.
Also note in-person hikes/walks and sessions require pre-registration and signing a Waiver Release.
5:30 am CT
Song of the Whippoorwill: Listening for Night Birds
Led by Bob Ford, Wildlife Biologist and Hatchie River Conservancy Director
FACEBOOK LIVE: Join Bob on our Facebook page for a virtual journey to listen to the sounds of the night birds. You’ll hear the whippoorwill and other birds as Bob tells you about their habits, habitat and how to distinguish their calls.
7:30 - 11 am CT
Bird Hike / Nature Walk
Led by birding experts, this hike is good for all experience levels. Please come prepared to spend the morning in the field. This includes binoculars, bug spray and staying hydrated, extra water is always good to have.
Participants will meet at the WT Delta heritage Center and caravan to select spots on the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and other Haywood County locations.
This is usually a 4 hour adventure. Because you will be caravanning, for those who do not wish to stay out that long, you are welcome to leave at any point.
8 - 10 am CT
Photography Nature Walk
This is a photography opportunity to learn tips and tricks for photographing wildlife, especially birds. Bring your camera and binoculars.
This class will concentrate on the Oneal Lake area of the Hatchie NWR. Participants will caravan from the the WT Delta Heritage Center.
8:30 - 11 am CT
Bird Hike / Nature Walk
Led by birding experts, this hike is good for all experience levels, especially those just starting or concerned with staying in the field for long periods. This walk will last approximately 2.5 hours.
Participants will meet at the WT Delta heritage Center and caravan to select spots on the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Because you will be caravanning, for those who do not wish to stay out that long, you are welcome to leave at any point.
Please come prepared. This includes binoculars, bug spray and staying hydrated, extra water is always good to have.
12:00 pm (noon) CT
Birds of Prey
Live bird demonstrations that utilizes injured birds of prey including the Bald Eagle.
Presented by Brandon Ransom, Ranger, Tennessee State Parks
1 - 3 pm CT
Brownsville’s Earth Day & Lunch Downtown
Enjoy lunch and shopping in Brownsville’s historic downtown. Earth Day festivities include vendors, music and great food destinations. Free admission and opportunity to walk around the court square and enjoy our mural art and historic architecture.
3:00 pm CT
Birds & Plants
Artist Talk with Jennalyn Speer
Explore the exhibition “Birds and Plants” with the artist. Speer will take you through the mixed-media collage series telling the stories of various bird and plant species from around the globe. Birds and plants share complex ecological relationships that are impacted by human interactions. Through the collage process of layering, cutting, and rearranging maps, field guides, dictionary pages, and sewing pattern papers, the artworks acknowledge loss, belonging, and the complexities of environmental interconnections.
Jennalyn Speer has degrees in Fine Art (MFA, BA) and Elementary Education (BS) as well as a graduate Museum Studies certificate. She is a professional artist living in Memphis, Tennessee. Her art is focused on bird conservation and aims to promote human understanding of our biological, cultural, emotional, and spiritual embeddedness within the natural world.
3:30 pm CT
Butterfly/ Wildflower Hike
Led by Allan Trently, West Tennessee Stewardship Ecologist
State Natural Areas Program
Learn more about area butterflies and wildflowers during this afternoon hike around Oneal Lake on the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Expert guide and state Ecologist, Allan Trently, will help you identify butterflies and wildflowers and recognize the habitats that are best for them.
3:30 pm CT
Protect Our Aquifer
Led by Sabrina Taylor, Environmental Anthropologist and West TN Organizer
Learn more about Protect our Aquifer (POA) and the importance of protecting our drinking water supply. POA is a science-led advocacy organization that prioritizes inclusion of diverse local communities, scientific integrity in aquifer protection, fierce advocacy in public decision-making, and celebration of the aquifer’s model stewards and good neighbors. We believe everyone plays a role in protecting the aquifer.
6:30 pm CT
Nocturnal Walk: Sunset at Oneal Lake
Meet at Oneal Lake to watch the sunset and night critters come out. Experience the lake after dark with self-guided tours around the lake. Be on the lookout for bats and otters among others. Be sure and bring mosquito repellent and a flashlight.
This is always a favorite event for attendees and perfect for all age groups. If you don’t wish to walk the 2 miles around the lake, you are welcome to drive - just be aware of those walking and use extreme caution.
Sunday, April 27
7:30 - 11 am CT
Birding with Bob
Our annual caravan to check out favorite Birding spots begins at the WT Delta Heritage Center. Meet up for orientation about what the morning will entail and to be sure you are a part of the caravan. You don’t want to miss out.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 1 - 4 pm, at WILLOW OAKS FLOWER FARM
Willow Oaks Farm - 2351 TN-54, Brownsville, TN 38012
Sunday afternoon sessions will be held at Willow Oaks Flower Farm, Brownsville. Sarah & David Levy will welcome us to their greenhouses and outdoor spaces for seminars.
Shop & Learn
Beginning at 1:00 pm, experts will be on hand to help you select the perfect plants to attract birds, butterflies and wildlife to your backyard habitat and answer your planting questions.
2:00 pm CT
Honey Bees
Presented by Joy Layton, Entomologist
Learn how beekeepers keep them going and … are they really the best pollinators we have?
Joy Layton has always been fascinated by insects. She received a Ph.D. in entomology in 1998. Originally, Joy was far more interested in the native bee species, as opposed to the non-native, invasive honey bee. Not everyone realizes that the honey bee was imported by European colonizers in the 1600s! But somehow, after retirement, and through some unexpected pathways, she became a keeper of honey bees. She enjoys talking about this remarkable species, the necessity of them for many of our crops of European origin and also talking about our native bees and the native crops that they are best at pollinating.
5:30 pm CT
“Wrap-up on the River”
FACEBOOK LIVE: Bob will wrap-up the 2025 event with a live Facebook post. He’ll count the species experienced this weekend and other highlights.
Before you register for the 2025 Hatchie BirdFest - be sure and read this LIABILITY WAIVER AGREEMENT.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@hatchiebirdfest or call 731-779-9000.