Guinness toucans flying in formation carrying glasses of beerBirds & Beers invites the public to learn about UWindsor ornithological research, Thursday at Walkerville Brewery.

Thursday event to present ornithological research

A Faculty of Science event being held at Walkerville Brewery this week will gather birds of a feather to quaff together.

Science On Tap: Birds and Beers II will feature talks by University of Windsor ornithologists, a trivia contest with binoculars as the grand prize, and a display by the UWindsor Avian Taxidermy Club. Music students from the School of Creative Arts will perform bird-themed tunes and graduate students will display research posters and answer questions about their work.

And, true to the event’s title, one beer is included with every ticket purchased.

The event is part of a series also known as Science Uncorked when gatherings are held at a winery.

The series is “designed to promote the cutting-edge research being conducted by faculty and students at the University of Windsor,” said Chris Houser, dean of the Faculty of Science. It’s a way for researchers to connect with residents in Windsor and Essex County in a relaxed atmosphere that supports local businesses.

The first Birds & Beers event attracted more than 100 people last year.

“There was a great exchange of ideas about the many forms of bird research taking place on campus,” said biology professor Dan Mennill, associate dean of science, graduate studies and research.

“The public in Essex County is a group of people very interested in birds, and it was a great opportunity to discuss avian research together.”

Birds and Beers is one of five annual Science On Tap / Science Uncorked events the Faculty of Science hosts in the community annually. Upcoming topics include water quality and wearable electronics.

Dr. Mennill, one of the researchers who will speak at Thursday’s gathering, said birds are a fitting topic for such an event in the region.

“We're in a really special part of the world for birds,” he said. “More than one billion animals migrate over the Great Lakes annually, right through the skies above Essex County. Therefore, our region is a great place to study birds, and we have assembled one of the largest ornithology research groups in Canada. It is a great opportunity to share the findings of our research with the broader community, while enjoying a fun evening of conversation, music, and laughter.”

The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Walkerville Brewery, 525 Argyle Rd. in Windsor. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students), available for online purchase at bit.do/BirdsBeers2.

—Sarah Sacheli