Bird count about to take flight

Glen Helen’s 2011 Make it Count for the Birds

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Come join with other birdwatchers to see how many different bird species we can find in Glen Helen in just 24 hours. Each species spotted will help raise money for the Glen. This event coincides with Spring migration, so we hope to see 75-90 different species of birds!

Schedule of Activities

• 12:00 am: Count period begins

• 5:30 am: Dawn Chorus. Join Glen Helen Director Nick Boutis as we greet the sounds of the dawn on the Little Miami River. Meet at Grinnell Mill: 3536 Bryan Park Rd.

• 8:00 am: Woodland Bird Walk. Join our guide for a two-hour walk through the forests of Glen Helen in search of migrant songbirds. 50 or more bird species are possible. Meet at Trailside Museum: 505 Corry St.

• 9:00 am: Pine Forest Walk. The forest may hold uncommon species like pine warblers, and we'll check the bluebird boxes for these colorful wonders. Meet at Horace Mann Meadow, Bryan Park Rd, just south of entrance to John Bryan State Park.

• 10:00 am: The Homestead Walk. The sparsely visited area of the South Glen is home to a recently restored wetland. Meet at the far end of West Jacoby Rd. (Access from Rt. 68)

• 11:00 am: Farm and Field Walk. The area around the Riding Centre is the best place in the Glen to find swallows and other birds of open fields and farmlands. Meet at the Riding Centre: 1117 East Hyde Rd.

• 12:00 pm: Lunchtime Tally Rally. Birders will share what they’ve found (and what they’ve missed). Birders and sponsors can nosh on complimentary snacks and coffee. Meet at Trailside Museum: 505 Corry St.

• 12:30 pm: Cleanup Crew. We’ll dispatch a team to cover miles by car, foot, or bicycle in search of species missed during the morning hikes. Meet at Trailside Museum: 505 Corry St.

• 1:00 pm: Prairie and River Walk. We'll walk through the South Glen along the Little Miami. Expect orioles, finches, swallows, warblers. Meet at the Little Miami Bridge on Grinnell Rd.

• 2:00 pm: Trailside Sit. Don't feel like walking? Come find out how many species can we spot from one 17-foot circle. Meet at Trailside Museum: 505 Corry St.

• 3:00 pm: South Glen Wetlands. The slope wetlands and cattail marsh of the South Glen are vastly different from the habitats in the North Glen. Who knows what we'll find here! Meet at the Greene County Boat Launch at the end of East Jacoby Rd. (Access from Clifton Rd.)

• 5:00 pm: Evening Tally Rally. Birders will share what they’ve found (and what they’ve missed). Meet at Trailside Museum: 505 Corry St.

• 11:59:59 pm: Count period ends – Last chance to report sightings!