Friday through Monday, February 15-18, 2013
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual four-day event that encourages bird watchers of all ages and skill levels to count birds and report their results online to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The data collected gives useful information to scientists, which enables them to better evaluate fluctuations in bird populations. Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc for more information!
Wake County Parks staff encourages you to participate by joining us for our counts and by counting in your own backyard! Our parks are offering programs (listed below by order of date) and events to encourage your involvement in GBBC!
Whether you’re an avid birder or a beginner who wants to learn more about local birds, the GBBC is for you!
Lake Crabtree will be hosting a bird walk each day of the count. These walks are great for experts and beginners alike! Share your birdwatching knowledge with others, learn how to identify common birds in our area, and meet other bird enthusiasts. Meet at the Waterwise Garden.
Join a park naturalist on a one-mile hike around Yates Mill Pond to identify and count the birds we see along the way.
Learn the basics of bird watching, what GBBC is and how to participate on your own, then take a bird hike in search of birds at Harris. Meet at the Longleaf Shelter.
Crowder District Park Crowder By Night: Winter Owl Prowl
Friday, February 15; 4:30-5:30 pm $5/family or $3/person, Pre-registration is required.
Go on an Owl Prowl and discover owls found in the Piedmont, what they eat, where they live and what they sound like. Dissect some owl pellets and practice your owl calls.
American Tobacco Trail
Free Family Program - “Early Birds”
Saturday, February 16; 7:30-9 am Join other birders in the area for an early morning walk. Meet in the New Hill Parking area. Ages 10+.
Crowder District Park
Breakfast with the Birds HikeSaturday, February 16; 9-10 am
Free, but pre-registration is required.
Enjoy doughnuts with a cup of bird-friendly coffee or hot chocolate before leisurely walking the trails with a park naturalist to identify and count the birds. Bring reusable mugs.
Share your bird watching knowledge with others, learn how to identify common birds in our area, and meet other bird enthusiasts. Meet at the Longleaf Shelter.
Lake Crabtree County Park
Bird Expo
Saturday, February 16; 10 am-3 pm AND
Sunday, February 17; 12 - 5 pm
Free!
Join park staff and volunteers for a variety of activities, crafts, and information booths about birds and bird conservation. Just stop by the Manager’s office during the event hours to take part in the fun.
Crowder District Park
On the Trail of Bluebirds
Saturday, February 16; 10:30 am-12 noon
Fee: $11/Box. Pre-registration is required.
Learn about the history of the Eastern Bluebird and how you can attract them to your yard. Hike with us along our bluebird trail to check the boxes and prepare them for the coming season. Make your own blue bird box for home.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
A Special Screening of “Gus Outdoors: Gull Island”
Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 16-17; Screenings begin at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm
Free!
In this 23-minute award-winning children's nature film, join Gus on a boat ride to Gull Island and explore a rookery of nesting sea gulls like the ones that nest in NC's Coastal Plain.
Harris Lake County Park
Birdapalooza
Saturday, February 16; 2-5 pm
Free!
Enjoy a variety of activities about birds including games, crafts, hikes, scavenger hunt and more. Meet in the Garden area.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Birds of the Night Hike
Saturday, February 16; 4:30-5:30 pm
Free, but pre-registration is required
Join us for a guided hike just after dark in search of our nocturnal flyers and learn about their special adaptations.
Free but Pre-registration is required.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Breakfast with the Birds Sunday, February 17; 8:30-10 amFree, pre-registration is required. Enjoy doughnuts with a cup of bird friendly coffee or hot chocolate, before leisurely walking the trails with a park naturalist to identify and count the birds. Bring reusable mugs.
Crowder District Park
Backyard Bird Count
Sunday, February 17; 1-2 pm
Free!
Join a park naturalist on a one-mile hike around Crowder Pond to identify and count the birds we see along the way.
Crowder District Park
Family Feature: Gardening for Birds & Other Wildlife
Sunday, February 17; 2-3 pm
Free, but pre-registration is required
With a bit of planning, you can have birds flocking to your garden. Learn about native plants that support birds and other wildlife. Ages 8+.
Explore the shoreline as we search for our winter and year round resident waterfowl. Meet at the Longleaf Shelter.
Harris Lake County Park
Evening Stroll Through the Park
Sunday, February 17; 5:30-7 pm
Free!
Enjoy a staff led stroll to listen for our evening birds and other critters of the night. Meet at the Longleaf Shelter.
The Turkey and Eagle once faced off to see who would be our national bird. Celebrate Presidents Day and the GBBC and discover the natural characteristics that made each such a contender, learn about the use of birds in national symbols, and make your own bird-themed Great Seal to take home. Ages 7-10.
Blue Jay Point County Park
My Yard is Full of Birds!
Monday, February 18; 10-11:30 am
Free Family program, but pre-registration is required.
Join Blue Jay staff to hear a bird story (or two), try a fun bird activity (or three) and count how many different kinds of birds we can see from Blue Jay’s front porch. Older kids will hike “further afield” to expand our bird count numbers while the peewees and their grown-ups make bird treats to take home.
Lake Crabtree County Park
Junior Birder Patch Program
Monday, February 18; 1-4 pm
$10/child, Pre-registration is required.
Learn all about birds and bird watching through a variety of hands-on activities. Participants will earn the Junior Birder Patch by completing this program. We'll learn how to use binoculars, practice our bird identification skills, and much more! Meet at the Beech Shelter. Ages 5-12.