Dunwoody Nature Center Going to the Birds

The Dunwoody Nature Center is going to the birds with an avian themed weekend for Feb. 15-18, 2013.

The weekend begins on Friday, from 6:30-9:00 with the return of Owl Always Love You, an adult only Valentine themed evening featuring renowned raptor rehabilitator Monteen McCord of HawkTalk. Monteen will discuss their mating rituals, breeding and nesting habits and other topics during her presentation.

The evening will feature light appetizers, wine, beer and other beverages, all included in the ticket price. Advance registration is required and reservations and payments will be taken on a first served basis in advance by registering online at www.dunwoodynature.org beginning January 21st.

On Saturday is the family friendly Great Backyard Bird Count. A birding class will be offered at the Nature Center and will feature information about species identification, the importance of the bird count, how to do basic bird observation, and how to correctly enter the tally into the Great Backyard Bird Count website.

Several computers will be available at the Nature Center so that participants are able to enter their data correctly. After the introduction, participants are encouraged to use the 22 acres of Dunwoody Park to do their bird count; last year 16 different species of birds were identified. Participants are welcome to come back to the park throughout the weekend to continue their bird count or may take the information learned from the class home with them to continue their count at home.

As part of the Nature Center’s mission to educate children, families, and adults of all ages about the natural world and our place in it, this event will be FREE and open to the public. Classes are Saturday at 9:30 and 11:00; bird watching all day. For more information on this nationwide birding initiative, please go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Merit badges are the name of the game on Sunday as the Nature Center hosts its Birding Merit Badge workshop for Boy Scouts from 1:00 – 5:30. The Nature Center has developed an interactive and educational program designed to allow Boy Scouts, ages 11 and older, to meet the requirements for the Bird Study Merit Badge. Registration for the workshop is $25 and is available on the Nature Center’s website at http://www.dunwoodynature.org/Badge-Workshop.

Finally, does the day off from school on Monday fowl up your plans for the day? We have just the thing as the Great Backyard Bird Count comes home to roost again for our second session. Free classes are being offered at 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00.