County holding birding basics hike at Sharon Mills Park

Eastern bluebirds. Photo credit: Paul Danese/Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

by Sara Swanson

Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation (WCPARC) will be holding a Birding Basics hike in the Sharon Mills County Park, located at 5701 Sharon Hollow Rd, in the North Lot on Saturday, May 9, from 1pm to 3pm, led by Kelsey Dehring. This program is intended for people brand-new to birding! WCPARC states, “The magic of birds is they seem to be everywhere you go. Local parks, backyards, apartment balcony railings, quiet forests, and city streets. Birding can be enjoyed just about anywhere, but with so many species it can seem like a daunting hobby. Join Dehring to learn tricks to identifying birds based on habitat, markings, and sounds.” No equipment needed. They provide binoculars for you to use and discuss what to look for in binoculars if you are interested in purchasing your own. Space is limited to 15 birders.

Earlier in the day they will also be holding a Migratory Bird Day program from 8am until 10am for all levels of birders, but it is currently full. You can get on a waitlist for this program.

To register for birding basics or get on the waitlist for migratory birds, go to parksonline.ewashtenaw.org, click on “831009 Spring Adult Nature Hikes,” and select “Migratory Bird Day” or “Birding Basics”. Email Dehring at dehringk@washtenaw.org with questions.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.