When: June 9, 2024 @ 8:00 am
Learn about birds while helping scientists!
Join us for a peaceful morning stroll as we explore the beautiful and varied birds of Western North Carolina. This event will start with a brief introduction on how to use binoculars for those new to the hobby as well as a short lesson on how to use field guides and bird identification apps like Merlin and eBird. As we walk, we’ll listen closely to the soundscape and learn to identify birds by ear. We’ll also do our best to blend into the landscape and get an up-close look at some beautiful birds and learn which features to focus on to make positive identifications. Along the way, we may also find some interesting animal tracks and have the opportunity to discuss the huge species diversity of these rich habitats. This session is open to anyone, no prior birding experience necessary! Loaner binoculars are available for beginners.
This event is part of our Needmore Bioblitz Series. A Bioblitz is a sort of “biological census,” aiming to capture a snapshot of all the species living in a particular area. Observations collected during this event will help drive future conservation in this area, fill gaps in scientific knowledge, and maybe even document a critter that hasn’t been observed here before!
We will meet at the Brush Creek Boat Launch off Lower Needmore Rd in Bryson City just before 8:00am on Sunday, June 9th. See map below for exact location. This event will run until around noon. Be prepared to walk 2-3 miles along unpaved woods roads, and potentially a bit off trail. Please bring binoculars (if you have them), water, a snack, and weather-appropriate clothing. This event is weather-dependent. Email Skye at [email protected] with any questions. Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to register for this event.
Why the Needmore? This over-5,000 acre chunk of public land in between Franklin and Bryson City encompasses a fascinating array of rich, low-elevation habitats, including 30 miles of river frontage. Mainspring has contributed over 3,000 acres to these Game Lands, and we continue to carry on the legacy of protecting this area’s unparalleled beauty and biodiversity. When the Fontana Dam was installed in the 1940’s, it flooded what would have been the lowest elevation ecosystems of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and many other low-elevation areas in the Little Tennessee River watershed have been developed. The Needmore contains a special set of unfragmented ecosystems that is not well-represented in our landscape.
Meet Your Teacher
Born and raised in Cullowhee, Topher Stephens has been a nature enthusiast since childhood and professional leader of outdoor and experiential education programs for over 15 years. Drawing from his background in conservation biology, mindfulness education, and nature-based mentoring, he brings a reverence for all life and a deep respect for the more-than-human world to his teaching about birds, animal track & sign, and ecological systems. He currently teaches courses in bird identification, wildlife track & sign, and mindfulness-based nature connection through his school Wild Remembering.
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