Bird enthusiasts as well as nature lovers will have the opportunity to pack up their gear and head out for a weekend of communing with Mother Nature during the annual Tara Spring Birding weekend, set to begin Friday.
“All you need to bring is sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars,” said Mark Bowen, the marketing director of Tara Wildlife.
For more than 10 years the nature preserve, located at 6791 Eagle Lake Shore Road, has been offering the spring birding weekend to guests, said Bowen. From Friday through Sunday, all levels of birders can experience the spring migration of songbirds along with other events planned for the weekend, he said.
“Bruce Reid with the Mississippi Audubon Society will lead the guests on the interpretive bird outings,” said Bowen, which will include bird watching on foot and in an open-air bus.
“Reid also does bird identification from their sounds,” he said.
Jo Mac Hudspeth, a wildlife photographer, whose work has appeared on Mississippi Duck Stamps and Sportsman’s licenses will also be on hand this weekend providing a photography program,” said Bowen.
“This will not be about equipment,” said Bowen, “but about how he [Hudspeth] gets close to the birds, how he gets the shots from natural camouflage and the hours it takes to get the shot.
Visitors can also view the wildlife and landscape of Tara on nature walks.  A pamphlet describing the names of the trees and bushes will be provided for guests interested in learning about the foliage and animals that inhabit the preserve.
Tara Wildlife offers 9,000 acres of hardwood forest and oxbow lakes along the Mississippi river.
The cost of a two-day weekend package is $195 per person for a double room and $265 per person for a single room and includes all meals, social beverages, hors d’oeuvres, lodging and tours.
The cost of the one-night package is $155 for double occupancy and $150 for single occupancy and includes evening dinner, social, breakfast, lunch and tours.
A big southern style country breakfast is served up on Saturday and Sunday morning and includes eggs, bacon and pancakes, said Bowen.
“Lunch is light,” he said, and it includes tuna and chicken salads and fresh vegetables.
Bowen said the evening meals will be grilled fish one night and grilled pork rib eye the next, along with sides and desserts.
An all-day Saturday option is also available.
The cost is $20 and $10 for ages 12 and younger and includes lunch, scenic bus rides, nature trails and a pond to fish in, said Bowen.
“Spring is a great time to be out here,” said Bowen. “And this weekend is looking nice.”
For more information, call 601-279-4261, visit www.tarawildlife.com or email tara@tarawildlife.com.