Appalachian Spring Wings at West Virginia’s State Parks and Forests

Bird watching occurs whenever a person looks to the sky, tree, shrub or ground. Bird watching also involves listening. Whether it’s the “what cheer” call of a northern cardinal or the sewing machine sound of a black-and-white warbler, birds are just about anywhere you look or listen.

West Virginia’s state parks have scheduled a variety of birding events and activities the weekends of May 5 and May 12 coinciding with spring bird migration observation:

May 4-6, 2012
Bird Banding at Tygart Lake State Park
Tygart Lake State Park offers a three-day birding event that includes banding of migratory birds passing through the Tygart River valley area. At 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, Three Rivers Avian Center presents “Wings of Wonder – Birds of Prey” program in the state park lodge. The live-bird presentation will include owls, hawks and an eagle. 

A banding station will be located at the lodge area from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, with licensed bander Joey Herron. Other events on Saturday include “Birds of West Virginia/The Importance of Migration” (10:30 a.m. to noon) and a field trip to Pleasant Creek WMA (1 to 4 p.m.) There is no charge to attend the programs or banding areas. Overnight rates are available. 

Tygart Lake State Park is located near Grafton, W.Va. For information, contact Tygart Lake State Park at 304-265-6144 or email tygartlakesp@wv.gov.

May 5, 2012
Annual Spring Bird Walk at Prickett’s Fort State Park
Come celebrate the joys of spring with a Saturday morning bird walk at Prickett’s Fort State Park. Staff of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will lead the public on this annual rite of passage. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. The bird walk is free and open to the public. Prickett’s Fort is located near Fairmont, minutes off I-79.

For more information about Prickett’s Fort State Park, visit http://www.prickettsfort.org/events.htm or call 304-363-0303.

May 5, 2012
Morgantown Migratory Bird Day at Coopers Rock State Forest
In coordination with International Migratory Bird Day (www.birdday.org), Cooper’s Rock State Forest is an ideal partner because of the location of the forest in the midst of an important migratory fly-way.

The event is organized by Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. ACCA expects the festival to include guided morning bird walks (on the Raven Rock Trail and others); educational displays by local bird and environment groups; seminars on migratory bird conservation; and activities for families with children.

Coopers Rock State Forest is located near Morgantown, at Bruceton Mills, minutes off of I-68.

For more information, contact event organizer, Katie Fallon at 304-685-5292

May 5, 2012
41st annual Spring Bird Count at Pipestem Resort
The 41st annual  Pipestem Spring Bird Count begins at Pipestem State Park headquarters building  to search for 100 species of birds. Naturalist Jim Phillips will lead the  hike down the Canyon Rim Trail to the River Trail and then follow this trail over to McKeever Lodge. “Then we will have the option of returning to the vehicles along the park road or the Lake Shore Trail.  The hike is moderately strenuous but we will move at a slow pace,” says Phillips. The activity will take from 2 to 2½ hours. 

Pipestem Resort State Park is located between Athens and Hinton on W.Va. 20.  The park is less than half an hour off the I-77 Athens exit.

For more activities at Pipestem Resort, visit www.pipestemresort.com or call 304-466-1800. To register or inquire about the spring count hike, email pipestemsp@wv.gov

May 5, 2012
Spring Bird Walk at Watters Smith State Park
The Spring Bird Walk at Watters Smith State Park is lead by park superintendent Andy Bennett, an avid birder and mountain biker. “I’ll help folks with basic birding skills and search the parks’ landscape for migratory birds that should be traveling this weekend,” Bennett said. Bring binoculars and wear sturdy hiking shoes. The bird walk begins at 8 a.m. at the activity building.

Watters Smith State Park is located in Lost Creek, south of Clarksburg, and minutes from I-79.
Contact 304-745-3081 for more information or visit www.wattersmithstateparks.com

May 12, 2012
Migration Celebration with Three Rivers Avian Center, Little Beaver State Park
Three Rivers Avian Center organizes a day filled with outdoor activities, including birds of prey, at Little Beaver State Park in Beaver. The one-day event includes a live birds of prey presentation, photography workshop, bird, bug and nature walks, storytelling, and children’s activities.

The kids’ area opens at 9 a.m. May 12 and includes interactive displays and activities at 9:30 a.m. Granny Sue will have crafts time. Wildlife biologist Jeff Hajenga will have a wildlife diversity presentation at 10 a.m. followed by a bug hunt at 11 a.m. with Terry Carrington, entomologist with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Storytelling with Granny Sue is at 1:30 p.m. Additional crafts and bug hunting are afternoon activities. 

Family events include 9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. bird walks with Bev Delidow. The National Park Service Ranger also will lead a nature walk at 10:30 a.m. State photographer Steve Rotsch will offer a 1:30 p.m. photography workshop, during which attendees will have the opportunity to take pictures of raptors. The 3 p.m. event is a “feathery” activity to learn about birds by their feathers as attendees flock together. 

Little Beaver State Park is located in Beaver W.Va., in Raleigh county. The park is minutes off I-64, at Exit 129A.

For more information about the Migration Celebration at Little Beaver State Park, visit www.tracwv.org or call 304-466-4683. West Virginia State Parks offer a variety of interpretative activities as well as special events throughout the year. For more information about these parks, events or activities, visit www.wvstateparks.com and click Event Calendar.