By Heather Madsen
Now that we’re officially leaving the chilliest weather behind, all of the animals and critters are here to stay. Baby birds are hatching, bees are pollinating, and deer are searching for the best green plants to munch on. If you love watching wildlife and enjoying the sights and sounds of spring, then May might be your favorite month. To make an already great time better, here are some awesome events you can take your whole family to to get up close to the birds and bugs that call Utah home!
First up is the Daybreak Ladybug Festival! This event for Daybreak residents is on May 20th from 2 to 5pm. There will be a bunch of live bugs and birds, including butterflies, bees, and of course ladybugs. There will also be crafts and activities for kids, including face painting and edible bugs! You can also buy ladybugs for your garden at this event. Tickets and more information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-livedaybreak-ladybug-festival-tickets-559061045637.
Next up is a recurring event at the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Bug Brigade! This event is on every second Saturday of each month from 2 to 3pm, and is free with museum admission. Kids can hold tarantulas and other crawling creatures, while learning about what makes each bug unique and how they protect and help the environment. More information can be found at https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/clone-bug-brigade-may-2023.
If you’d rather learn about birds rather than bugs, then the Red Butte Garden Birding Walk with HawkWatch International would be the perfect event for you. Hike around the beautiful gardens while an expert teaches you how to spot and identify all of the different birds that live there. Tickets and more information can be found at https://redbuttegarden.org/adult-education/bird-walk-with-hawkwatch-international/.