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Migratory Bird events running through May

By Staff | May 4, 2017

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) has put together a special series of events during May to mark the 25th annual observance of International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). The events will include a month-long Birdathon and a variety of birding trips between May 6 and May 14.

The IMBD is an international program that aims to promote greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of migratory birds in North, Central and South America. It was initiated in 1993 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.

All the PVAS events will be free and anyone with an interest is invited to participate. Pre-registration is required for the Birdathon; it is encouraged but not required for the birding triops. To register for events and get directions and other details go to the PVAS website at www.potomacaudubon.org.

For each trip, participants should dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring drinking water and insect repellent. Binoculars will be provided if needed.

For additional information about specific events contact the individuals mentioned in the event descriptions or Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org or 703-303-1026.

The schedule of events follows below.

May 1-31: Eighth Annual Ruth Ann Dean Memorial Birdathon. Teams and individuals will compete to identify the highest numbers of bird species they find in Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan and Washington counties and on the Potomac River bordering those counties within any 24-consecutive-hour-period during the month of May. Free and open to anyone who is interested, but all must pre-register. This year, those who participate are encouraged to seek pledges from neighbors and friends to help raise funds to improve Chimney Swift habitat on the Shepherd University campus. Contact Bridget Tinsley at bridget@potomacaudubon.org

Saturday, May 6: Bird walk at the National Conservation Training Center outside Shepherdstown. 7:30-11 a.m. Free and open to everyone but space is limited and registration is required. Register on the PVAS website by May 1.

Sunday, May 7: Bird walk at the Cool Spring Nature Preserve in Jefferson County. Will begin at 7:30 a.m. and last two to three hours. The Preserve is located at 1469 Lloyd Road, about six miles southwest of Charles Town. Contact Lynne Wiseman at 304-676-2725 or lewiseman@aol.com.

Sunday, May 7: Bird walk at the Eidolon Nature Preserve in Morgan County. Meet at the preserve parking lot inside the preserve gates at 7:30 a.m. A good opportunity to see see the rare Cerulean Warbler, a species of concern that can be found in considerable numbers at Eidolon at this time of year. Walk will be led by Jon Boone and other local birders. For more info contact the Nature Niche Store in Berkeley Springs at 304-258-0992 or natureniche@earthlink.net.

Monday, May 8: Bird walk at the Shannondale Springs Wildlife Management Area, on the east bank of the Shenandoah River in Jefferson County. Meet walk leader Jim Farley at 7:30 a.m. at the WMA parking lot by the boat launch site, off Mission Road. Contact Jim at 540-686-2056 or jamesfarley@frontiernet.net.

Tuesday, May 9: Bird walk at a private farm in Berkeley County. Meet walk leader Bob Dean at 7:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Hedgesville Shop and Save (formerly Food Lion) at 147 Roaring Lion Drive off Route 9. The walk group will drive to the farm from there.

Wednesday, May 10: Birding trip to Sideling Hill in Maryland. Meet trip leader Sandy Sagalkin at 7 a.m. in the upper parking lot of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Authority, which is located at 18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Dr., Hagerstown, MD (off Rt. 65, just south of US 70). From there, the trip group will drive north to Sideling Hill. Contact Sandy Sagalkin.

Thursday, May 11: Bird walk at the Claymont Mansion Property in Jefferson County. Meet walk leader Joette Borzik at 7 a,m, at the gate to the Claymont entrance road, which is located at 667 Huyett Road. Contact Joette at 240-440-4221 or pep4223@comcast.net.

Saturday, May 13: Bird walk at the Rolling Ridge Foundation lands on the Blue Ridge. Meet trip leader Joette Borzik at 7:30 a.m. the Rolling Ridge Study Community off Mission Road. Directions are on the PVAS website. For more info contact Joette. For questions about access to the Rolling Ridge property, contact Scott DeGraf at 301-275-2009.

Sunday, May 14: Mother’s Day bird walk along the Final Attack Trail section of the Antietam National Battlefield. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Burnside Bridge. Contact Sandy Sagalkin. Mother’s Day nature walk at the Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve in Berkeley County. Meet at 7:30 p.m. in the parking area at the north end of the preserve, which is located on the east side of Back Creek Valley Road (County Route 7), one-half mile south of Shanghai.