BirdHaven Festival

Where Song Began is a musical celebration inspired by Tim Low's award-winning book. Celebrated musicians Simone Slattery and Anthony Albrecht encourage audiences to contemplate the origin of birdsong and the importance of Australia's rich and colourful bird history. Their program includes music spanning 300 years, enhanced by a film and immersive soundscape. This performance has received critical acclaim. Not to be missed! $35 per person. Limited numbers.

Bird Magnetism: Make your very own bird magnets to display all your favourite pics. 1pm to 1.45pm. Please arrive 5 minutes before workshop. Max 25 children. Children 5yr and under must be accompanied by an adult. Curtis Park, Celia Parade, Shoalhaven Heads - opposite the Shoalhaven Heads Botanic Gardens

Nesting: Weave yourself a lovely raggy nest to house all your precious treasures. Noon to 12.45am. Please arrive 5 minutes before workshop. Max 25 children. Children 5yr and under must be accompanied by an adult. Curtis Park, Celia Parade, Shoalhaven Heads - opposite the Shoalhaven Heads Botanic Gardens

Bird Mobiles: Paint and construct your very own mobile feathered friend to hang in your home or favourite tree. 11am to 11.45am. Please arrive 5 minutes before workshop. Max 25 children. Children 5yr and under must be accompanied by an adult. Curtis Park, Celia Parade, Shoalhaven Heads - opposite the Shoalhaven Heads Botanic Gardens

Australia’s nature laws are failing to protect our unique birds and landscapes. The very laws designed to protect our precious natural environment are insufficient and continue to be undermined by loopholes and exemptions. Join Fiona Blandford and Andrew Hunter from BirdLife Australia to find out how you can push for strong nature laws and independent institutions that will protect the birds and places we love. FREE EVENT

Feathered Fashion: Shake your tail feather when you make your own feathery fashion accessory.  10am to 10.45am. Please arrive 5 minutes before workshop. Max 25 children. Children 5yr and under must be accompanied by an adult. Curtis Park, Celia Parade, Shoalhaven Heads - opposite the Shoalhaven Heads Botanic Gardens

Want to know the difference between a Bar-tailed Godwit and an Eastern Curlew? A Terek Sandpiper and a Common Redshank? Join Birdlife Australia’s Shorebirds expert Dan Lees and locals Carla Jackett and Kim Touzel for a lecture and discussion about shorebirds, plus some spotting and identification. FREE EVENT

Experience the diverse range of foods favoured by birds! Feast on the best local and seasonal produce at one of the region's most exciting new venues. 3 courses and welcome drink included in price. A carefully selected beer and wine menu also available. $75 per person. Numbers strictly limited.

Featuring: *Tim Low, author of Where Song Began *Prof Richard Fuller, shorebird expert *Peg McDonald, raptor rehabilitator *Dr Jacqueline Ngyuen, avian paleontologist *Fiona Blandford, Act For Birds co-ordinator *Nicholas Carlile, seabird researcher. $65 per person (morning tea and lunch included). *WIN A PAIR OF SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS* Ticket holders can win pair of Swarovski 8x30CL binoculars (value $1350) from Nature Lodge Optics, Berry, supplier of the world's finest optics.

Want to know the difference between a Bar-tailed Godwit and an Eastern Curlew? A Terek Sandpiper and a Common Redshank? Join Birdlife Australia’s Shorebirds expert Dan Lees and locals Carla Jackett and Kim Touzel for a lecture and discussion about shorebirds, plus some spotting and identification. FREE EVENT

Join us for an early morning beach yoga class inspired by our feathered friends. We’ll meet at the Shoalhaven Heads Surf Club. Then walk along Seven Mile Beach, stopping to warm up with some gentle shoulder and hip opening poses like “Eagle” and “Pigeon” before spreading our wings and trying some more advanced poses such as “stork” and “crow” to build flexibility, balance and strength. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience. $15 for adults, $10 concession. Not suitable for children

A chance to get to know other Festival-goers in an informal atmosphere, hosted by everyone's favourite Birdman, Sean Dooley - author, comedian and birdnerd. $35 per person includes light dinner and twittering entertainment. Drinks available at club prices. ***WIN A PAIR OF SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS*** All ticket holders will go into a draw to win a pair of Swarovski 8x30CL binoculars, valued at $1350, from our local supplier of the world's finest optics, Nature Lodge Optics, Berry.

This special offer Includes: * An Evening with Sean Dooley: Fri night 6pm-9pm includes entertainment and food (normally $35) * All About Birds - Expert speakers: Saturday 9am-4pm includes talks, morning tea and lunch (normally $65) Buy both tickets for $75 and save $25.

Bird Haven Festival is for bird lovers of all levels of interest. On Saturday night Oct 20 at 7pm watch the movie Chasing Birds and on Sunday Oct 21 from 9am hear experts talk about shorebirds and birds in your back garden. Author Harry Saddler talks about the extraordinary life of The Eastern Curlew who flies 10,000km from breeding grounds in Siberia to the coast around Shoalhaven Heads. Enjoy complimentary morning tea, then some walks to spot birds.