Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting their annual bird festival this week. 

At this event members of the public are invited to come and explore some of the birds native to southeast Iowa. Participants will get a firsthand look as refuge staff will use mist nets to attract songbirds to give people a chance to see the animals up close. Deputy Manager Ron Knopik says it’s always a surprise to see what kind of birds show up, “I always hope to see some bird that I haven’t seen in the past. I’ve been here at the refuge since 2008 and every year I see different birds at these bird banding events. So I’m hoping for something a little unique. The tried and true, the cardinals and the woodpeckers that we have, they never cease to amaze me.” The festival runs from 7 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. There will be a nature hike at 7:30 a.m., then another hike designed specifically for kids at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public