Robert Bealle, an artist from Waldorf, Maryland, took top honors today at the 2009 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Bealle’s painting of an American Wigeon will be made into the 2010-2011 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2010. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
This is the winning design of the 2009 competition and will grace the 2010-2011 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, the cornerstone of one of the world’s most successful conservation program, supporting the acquisition of millions of acres of wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
All of the artwork entered in the 2009 Federal Duck Stamp Contest will remain on public display at the National Wildlife Visitor Center from September 26 through October 23.
View 2009 Duck Stamp Contest entries.
Many thanks to our partners at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Wild Bird Centers, Outdoors Weekly and Ducks Unlimited for their support for this event!
Doors open at 9:00 AM each day.
Judging begins at 10:00 AM.
Event is free and open to the public.
For information call Patuxent Research Refuge 301.497.5763
Special Family Friendly Event
~Family Bird Walk ~
Bring comfy shoes, binoculars and your sense of wonder of birds. Meet our expert birders in front of the National Wildlife Visitor Center and explore the many places where birds like to hang out. Listen to the beautiful songs and other sounds of the refuge's winged residents.
Join us for this fun-filled hour of bird exploration! Check Calendar of Events for date and times.
Calendar of Events
Event
Description
Date
Location
Time
Family Friendly Bird Walk
Explore the waterfowl and other birds at Patuxent Research Refuge.
Lead: Alicia King and Paul Baicich
* Accommodations fill up quickly. Make your reservations early and mention the Federal Duck Stamp Contest to receive a discount on your room.
2010
Eligible Species
Entries
Interesting Facts
American Wigeon
33
Often winter in Central America, the Caribbean, northern Colombia and Trinidad.
Blue-winged Teal
23
Females lay an average of 10 eggs per breeding season.
Cinnamon Teal
19
Nearly all cinnamon teal winter in Mexico and Central America.
Gadwall
18
Since the late 1980s, the gadwall population has increased to record levels.
Wood Duck
131
At the turn of the century, this species was near extinction. Because of strict migratory bird laws wood duck populations have rebounded to healthy numbers.
