Welcome! Our FledglingFest events are designed specifically for kiddos (ages 6 & older) and their grown-ups! You can take part in one or more of the following events as part of your nature adventure and introduction to the world and wonders of Galveston’s natural environment.

For the FREE Birds of Prey Raptor Shows, ALL are welcome to attend regardless of age and you do not have to be registered.

PLEASE NOTE: You must be registered in order to participate in any of the FledglingFest activities other than the free raptor shows. Only registered children (ages 6 & older) and their adults can participate in the activities that have a fee. It’s easy to register and all activities are $10/per person this year!

Date: Saturday, April 20
Time:  10:00am – 11:00am
Cost:  $10

Embark on a fun-filled adventure with your family and friends to discover the incredible world of birds and birding! Bird watching is perfect for both kids and grown-ups, and the best part is you can do it anywhere and anytime.

We’re going to explore why the Galveston area is like a magical land for bird lovers, where you can find all sorts of fascinating birds. Learn all about birding – it’s like a treasure hunt but with birds. We’ll show you cool tricks to identify different birds and tell you about some awesome places where you and your family can go birdwatching.

Imagine exploring parks, gardens, or even your backyard, spotting colorful birds and hearing their songs. Get ready to spread your wings and join us in this fantastic journey to discover the joy of birds – it’s going to be a blast!

Pair this indoor activity with any of our other FledgingFest adventures to take what you’ve learned indoors to the great outdoors!

Price: FREE (NO NEED TO REGISTER FOR FREE RAPTOR SHOWS)

Saturday, April 20 

11:00am – 11:45am, Galveston Children’s Museum at 2618 Broadway
1:30pm – 2:15pm, Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand St. 
Field Expert: Kevin Gaines, SkyKings Falconry

Bring your curiosity and prepare to be spellbound as these magnificent birds of prey soar right above you in all their majesty at the Galveston Children’s Museum on Saturday morning or Saengerfest Park in the afternoon!

Kids and their grown-ups will be enthralled by this exciting, free-flight presentation of raptors demonstrating their hunting styles. Learn about the natural history of these incredible birds and their unique traits and abilities. The show includes hawks, owls, falcons, vultures and other raptors.

Bring your family and friends! Everyone is welcome and as always, IT’S FREE!

The raptors in this program are trained and cared for by Kevin Gaines and the Sky Kings Falconry team, which are dedicated to education and wildlife preservation. Click here to learn more about Sky Kings Falconry.

Date: Saturday, April 20
Time:  12:30pm – 1:30pm
Cost:  $10

All aboard for an exhilarating Saturday escapade aboard the Seagull II with FledglingFest Dolphins & Birds by Boat! Join our seasoned guides as we navigate the waves to discover the playful dance of dolphins and the enchanting world of our feathered companions. Get ready for an outing filled with excitement, as our experts are on both decks to assist you in spotting and identifying these incredible marine wonders and amazing birds soaring above and hanging out in the harbor. Don’t miss the chance to turn your weekend into an unforgettable adventure!

All participants must be registered prior to reporting to board the boat. Driving and parking directions will be emailed prior to the field trip.

All FledglingFest activities are geared for ages 6 and up and children must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be at least six years old in order to participate.

Meet Your Trip Leaders

Chuck Davis

Carolyn Miles

Jason Miles

Date: Saturday, April 20
Time:  2:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost:  $10

Take a tour of the Rainforest with one of the Moody Garden’s biologists as you explore a variety of birds from rainforest regions of the world. You will learn all about bird biology and adaptations in a fun, interactive program. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes.

Directions to the meeting site will be emailed prior to the field trip.

All FledglingFest activities are geared for ages 6 and up and children must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be at least six years old in order to participate. 

Photo: Kathy Adams Clark at Moody Gardens

Date: Sunday, April 21
Time:  9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost:  $10

A birding adventure just or kids and their grown-ups! Welcome to the wonderful world of birding! On this trip, participants will learn the basics of counting and recording all the birds that they see.

We will also go over field marks and identification tips for the different birds we observe. One of our trip leaders will keep a checklist for our group. This checklist will be submitted to eBird (an online database) where scientists can use our checklist, along with millions of other checklists, to learn more about bird migration and population trends. Our checklist will be shared or emailed to participants (or their grown-ups) after the field trip. The particular birding sites we visit will depend on where lots of birds were seen on earlier FeatherFest field trips.

This trip meets at FeatherFest headquarters at the Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Place. All participants must be registered prior to boarding the bus.

All FledglingFest activities are geared for ages 6 and up and children must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be at least six years old in order to participate. 

Meet Your Trip Leaders

Chuck Davis

Carolyn Miles

Jason Miles