Alison Sheehey
Audubon California Kern River Preserve

The 14th Annual Kern Valley Autumn Nature & Vulture Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday September 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Audubon's Kern River Preserve, 18747 Highway 178, Weldon. Each day volunteers and staff will offer many special vulture related activities and autumn workshops.

Sierra Vista Restaurant, 16575 Highway 178, will again offer special dinners of "Vulture" Stew on Friday through Sunday night in addition to a Saturday morning only brunch from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. "Road Kill" Brunch! The restaurant gives diners a birds eye view of one of the areas premier vulture roost areas. The Vulture Lift-off and No Host Breakfast consists of Road Kill Quiche and Compost Fruit Salad (humans get fresh ingredients!)

Turkey Vultures roost in a tree at the Audubon's Kern River Preserve during last year’s festival in Weldon.

World renown ornithologist and artist John Schmitt will be on hand to answer questions about vultures and raptors. Other activities include bird walks, children's activities, workshops on bird feeding, fall gardening, USPS special cancellation station, pond turtle demonstration, children's activities, Vultures and Birds of Prey workshop, rare plant workshop, geology of Kern County workshop, clouds and weather workshop along with live music.

Come bring a blanket and a picnic and listen to the styling's of Archie Logsdon, Out of the Blue, and local artists entertaining the crowd throughout the day.

Join staff and volunteers of the Kern River Preserve for a weekend of fun and education.

For more information visit the 2008 Festival

website.

http://kern.audubon.org/tvfest_activities.htm