World Migratory Bird Day – Backyard Bird Count at RTPI

To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, RTPI will host a bird walk on Saturday, May 13, from 9 to 10 am. Beginning birders are strongly encouraged. The second Saturday in May, typically the height of spring bird migration, is the perfect time to find your “spark bird” — a bird that turns you into a life-long birder.

Our guide for the morning will be Craig Thompson — retired from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Craig is now RTPI’s favorite volunteer “bird nerd.”

Following a brief introduction, Craig will lead folks in search of birds along the gentle, half-mile trail through the Peterson Preserve at RTPI. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and trail conditions. Proper footwear is a must. Binoculars or bird guides are not required but encouraged. In case of inclement weather, the program will be cancelled. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This program is free, however registration is required. To register, click on the registration button or if you prefer call us at (716) 665-2473 and speak to one of our Visitor Experience Associates.

How many different kinds of birds might you see at RTPI? Well, that depends — on the weather, the time of day, the time of year. According to eBird, birders have observed a total of 142 bird species at RTPI. The number of most commonly seen birds is 43. They include Cooper’s Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker and Eastern Bluebird. This year, since installing new bluebird nesting boxes, we’re hoping for a bumper crop of bluebirds. Bluebirds and Roger Tory Peterson just go together — for those of you who may not know, it’s Roger’s painting of a bluebird that graces New York State conservation license plates.