Take time to notice your fine-feathered friends on Saturday, May 12. It's International Migratory Bird Day. The theme for 2007 couldn't be more appropriate -- Birds in a Changing Climate.
One of the best places I know to experience the wonder of birds is at Timberdoodle Flats in the Allegheny National Forest and the osprey nesting sites that are visible from Rt. 321, along the Longhouse National Scenic Byway just north of Kane, Pa.
The occasional drumming of woodpeckers and the distant cry of a northern goshawk are clues to the mysterious world that is often hidden in plain view. The forest is home to year-round residents and an important stopover for migrating songbirds. So listen up; bring your binoculars. A single day spent bird watching might easily include sightings of more than four dozen species. Some rare birds, like the scarlet tanager, are more abundant here than any other place on the planet. American bald eagles, a threatened and endangered species since 1978, thrive along the Allegheny Reservoir and River. Osprey perform above the Longhouse Scenic Byway and make graceful landings at Willow Bay. Introductions to the fabled American woodcock, affectionately known as the timberdoodle, can be arranged on the 160-acre interpretive trail at—you guessed it—Timberdoodle Flats.
To see what's flying in your own neck of the woods, check your local newspaper.
At Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pa., where I live, there are guided walks beginning at 7, 8, 10 and 11 a.m. from the Stull Interpretive Center. At 9 a.m., birder Susan Smith will present some wonderful images and facts on migration at the Stull Center, followed by educational activities from 10 a.m. to noon. All activities are free and open to the public. If you're in the neighborhood, call 814-460-2540 for info.
The early bird catches the worm at Breakfast with the Birds at Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will include doughnuts, bagels, fruit, juice and coffee. You can learn how to identify common birds in our region and how to attract them to your yard. Cost: $10 per person; $8 for members. Call 814-835-5356.
For more info about International Migratory Bird Day, visit www.birdday.org
Armchair travelers can read "Bird Lady at Tionesta," an excerpt from my book, Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National Forest.
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Comments: 32
Hope you have a wonderful time tomorrow!
We have several kinds of Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Northern Red Cardinals, Blue Jays, Robins, Nut Hatches, Barn Birds, Cat Birds, Mocking Birds. House Finches and a resident Falcon who likes to pluck one of my pretty song birds on occassion for his daily meal...unfortunatley right before my very eyes! I do have a couple of species that I don't know the names for yet. I have several bird guides but they all seem so incomplete anymore, I haven't been able to locate them in any of my books yet.
Oh and the Hummingbirds are back!
It's not the most scientific survey, but it seems to me that there are many more songbirds near me this year. I am hearing them starting long before the dawn and during most of the day.
I love it.
Birdie--With a name like yours, I should have known you would be on top of this! Thanks for the poster info. I found one online and the artwork is really cool.
Danielle--We travel Route 86 all the time and didn't know about the Marsh or Owego. Thanks!
Janie, Rosa, Moggie, Visionaerie, Amy--What a wonderful and abundant diversity you have described. Let's hope there continues to be habitat for all on this great, green planet. Mice included.
Mr. Beak, er Bill--Please do post your series. It doesn't matter how far they roam, these birds still have plenty to chirp about. The same could be said for people.
Thanks, Angela--you are welcome to post. It's never too late.
Leslie--I've thought the same thing. The songbirds seem to be out in force this spring.
Spartan--There is a day for everything else, I'll bet there's one for birds you stay put.
Take a look at Josette's photographs for a real treat--birds from Zambia.
In our old neighborhood, we often heard "Scooch Scooch" of the Pheasant, saw a Kingfisher dive into the Mill Pond, saw Downy's, (I know these are not migrants) but then my husband, a former avide birder for 20 years, would take the scope, and I tagged along, to view his hard-earned work. He was a one for lists. I write nothing longhand.
I will check out your book.
I will be visiting your page and Josh's, too, as I now have DSL.
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