Bird Walk - It’s All About Nesting!
Events at Hildene
Event Info
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
For birds, June and July are all about pairing, mating, nest building, incubating and raising young. For humans, it’s time to be tuned into observing bird behaviors. Most birds rebuild a nest each season, although site fidelity is very high. That phoebe who built her nest over your back door will do so year after year. “Nests” could be simple scrapes or compressed grass areas on the ground (Killdeer); cup shapes of sticks, grasses, spider webbing, plastics, paper, etc. (most common); evacuated holes or cavities (woodpeckers, chickadees); elaborate weavings (Baltimore Oriole) or large platforms (Eagles, Osprey). Killdeer will lay their speckled eggs on the ground where they are completely camouflaged. The location might only be known by the aggressive, noisy behavior of the adults if danger exists. Killdeer families can be found down at Hildene Farm in the dene.
For more details about the Killdeer’s nesting cycle, visit Robert Groos’ Photography blog
Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot. Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. No registration required. Questions? Contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960