FOR RELEASE: January 27,
2009
(TROY,
MI) – Join thousands
of people throughout the United States and Canada February 13-16 who will be counting birds in their backyards, local
parks and nature centers in the effort to help scientists at the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology understand more about the distribution and abundance of birds.
Stage
Nature Center Manager Stacy Yankee said it’s all part of the 12th Annual Great Backyard Bird
Count as well as the chance to celebrate February as National Bird Feeding Month.
“This
is a free opportunity for families, individuals and groups of all skill
levels,” Yankee said. “Your list – short
or long – will help these scientists.”
She
said more information is available at www.birdcount.org,
or interested bird counters are welcome to stop by the Nature Center to learn
more.
“You
can start feeding the birds in your backyard by purchasing a new birdfeeder
from our Cattail Cove Gift Shop,” Yankee said.
“Bird feeding is a great way to start the day, brighten up a gloomy
winter and relieve stress, all while helping wild birds get through their
toughest time of the year.”
The
Nature Center is also offering two classes to help bird counters – young and
old –get in the spirit:
·
Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop on
Bluebirds, for ages
12-adult, will be held Saturday,
February 14 from 9:30 am-11 am. The
fee is $3 per person. Register by
February 7. This class will explore how
to attract bluebirds to your yard, proper birdhouse placement and monitoring
techniques.
·
Build a Box for the Birds, a parent-child activity for ages
7-12, is Sunday, February 15 from
3-5 pm. The fee is $14. Register by February 4. Boys and girls bring an adult partner and a
hammer and together build a bird next box.
“Find out neat stuff about birds that nest in tree cavities at the
Nature Center and how to attract them to your yard this spring,” Yankee
said. “We’ll also go on a short winter
bird hike and each child will take home the nesting box they make.”
The
Stage Nature Center is located at 6685 Coolidge Highway. For more information and to register for
classes, call 248.524.3567.
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