Organizers of the inaugural Southport NatureFest are gearing up for the May 2 event and have invited a biologist specializing in birds to give a special presentation that morning.

Lindsay Addison, Audubon North Carolina’s coastal biologist, and other field staffers are responsible for monitoring and managing the 19 islands that make up the Audubon North Carolina Sanctuary System. Together, these sites support over a third of the waterbirds that nest in the state.

Addison’s presentation will focus on the waterbirds that nest in the Cape Fear region, which include brown pelicans, great egrets and others. It will feature photographs and interesting information about the birds’ biology, why they nest where they do, and the birds’ conservation needs. 

Tickets for the pancake breakfast, to be held at Trinity United Methodist Church at 209 East Nash Street, are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children under three are free.

Those who wish to hear Addison’s 9:30 a.m. presentation do not necessarily need to purchase tickets to the 9 a.m. pancake breakfast.

A bird walk, with a maximum capacity of 30 persons, will precede the breakfast and talk. The tour, planned for 7 to 8:30 a.m., will depart from Wild Bird and Garden at 105 East Brown Street. 

Following the breakfast and presentation, a free event entitled “Discover the Wonder of Birds” will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Workshops, special kayak and water tours, children’s events, nature tours and vendors have been scheduled throughout the day. 

For more information on the festival, and to register, visit www.happiestseasidetowninamerica.com. Tickets are also available locally at Southport Realty, Wild Bird and Garden and The Adventure Kayak Company.