Spring forests and fields are alive with song resulting from the bustle of migratory birds. Bird day celebrates their return from tropical winter homes to summer habitats in our NC mountains. Join the Cradle of Forestry in honoring this amazing annual phenomenon of nature. 2018 Theme is the “Year of the Bird”
Activities for the day include:
9:00am-11:00am- Guided Bird Walk with naturalist Vicky Burke
More info:
Begun in 1993, World Migratory Bird Day is an educational celebration which highlights this tremendous phenomenon. In addition, WMDB promotes a conservation theme each year. Bird migration is a spectacular event throughout the Americas. Almost 350 bird species travel hundreds of miles from non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean to nesting habitats in North America. During this journey birdwatchers can observe these travelers as they rest and feed along the way. A variety of migratory birds rest and feed at the Cradle of Forestry before continuing north. Many others conclude their journey in the Blue Ridge Mountains to nest and raise their young. Along our hiking trails birders often see and hear black-throated blue warblers, hooded warblers, black and white warblers, northern parulas and blue headed vireos during this event. On occasion one may spot rare sightings such as the bright Blackburnian warbler or scarlet tanager. In 2016 roughly 28 species were heard and spotted during WMBD.
The USDA Forest Service is a sponsor of World Migratory Bird Day.
