The Mines of Spain Recreation Area will feature a program on Bird Banding with David Shealer on March 8 at 1:00 pm. The program will be held at the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center located at 8991 Bellevue Heights south of Dubuque.

David Shealer, a Professor at Loras College, will identify, weigh, measure, sex and determine the health of various birds.  Assist in the capture of song birds and get a chance to hold and look at various song birds found in the area. This is a good chance to learn to identify and get familiar with birds at your feeders.

Adults and children alike will enjoy this program. Hands on and up close look at song birds found in our area. The feeders at the center have numerous birds coming and going all year long. Some of the birds that will be banded might include the Black Capped Chickadee, White Breasted Nuthatch, Cardinals, Downy Woodpecker, Goldfinch and Tufted Titmouse. There are over fifteen different species of songbirds utilizing the feeders during the winter.

The E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center will be open from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. with the program starting at 1:00 p.m. Come early, stay late and explore the various exhibits and aquariums found throughout the center or take a hike on one of the trails that start just outside the interpretive center.