The Northern Neck Chapter of Virginia, National Audubon Society is excited to offer a free virtual Zoom meeting on Monday, April 4th at 2 pm entitled "Birding Skill-builder Virtual Workshop”. This can be viewed on a home computer and is open to the public.
Join Jessica Ruthenberg, a Watchable Wildlife Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), for an introduction to birdwatching. While this program is oriented for the beginning bird watcher, certainly even the seasoned “birder” will learn something. Jessica will lead us through all the steps used to identify a bird. An introduction to field guides and smart phone apps will be covered so anyone of any age can begin to recognize and appreciate the birds around us, from our kitchen window to one of our many natural areas in the Northern Neck.
For sign up and to obtain the Zoom information for the program, please email nnaudubon@gmail.com and an email with instructions will be returned.
Jessica has been with the Virginia’s DWR for eight years and holds a graduate degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan. She has worked as a biologist from Texas to Michigan to California and now Virginia. She was co-author of Virginia’s 10-year Wildlife Viewing Strategic Plan, recognized as one of the best in the county.
Over 45 million Americans identify themselves as birdwatchers and it is estimated birdwatching contributes about $41 billion to the nation’s economy each year. Birdwatching is an easy and inexpensive pastime for all ages. Whether watching a feeder out one’s kitchen window, taking a walk at Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve or traveling to see Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands, it gets one outside to appreciate our natural resources and the beauty of our planet.
This free program will be followed up with some field trips this month which will be announced at the presentation. In May, we are planning a virtual workshop of backyard feeders and nest boxes so you can enhance your own property for our avian neighbors.
The Northern Neck Chapter of the National Audubon Society is the oldest of the six Audubon Chapters in Virginia dating back to 1970. In a typical year, the Chapter sponsors bird walks twice a month and public programs once a month. Last year was and this year appears to continue to be anything but typical and we all hope, birders and others, that real “typical” will return soon. The Chapter also sponsors the Audubon Christmas Bird Counts as well as cosponsors shorebird count and butterfly counts throughout the year. In the meantime, feed, and enjoy watch the birds on your own property.
Photo Captions:
1. Jessica Ruthenberg – self
2. Red-headed Woodpecker – Photo by Kevin Howe
3. White-throated Sparrow - Photo by Kevin Howe