Mountain State Bird Discovery Weekend: Blackwater Falls 

This is the ultimate birding weekend for advanced and beginning birders! The weekend is designed to see and listen to birds in scenic mountain habitats with well-known naturalist/guide Bill Beatty [Bill Beatty Nature] and Janice Runyan of Wellsburg WV as well as indoor presentations with Beatty and Runyan and an evening with live educational birds of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. Join us at Blackwater Falls State Park June 3-5, 2022.

Field trips may include Canaan Valley State Park, Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, Dolly Sods and Otter Creek wilderness areas and Blackwater Falls State Park. Arguably West Virginia’s best birdwatching region. Program presentations about raptors, thrushes and birding skills are open to the public, however, field trips are limited and fee based at $40 per person and includes both field trips conducted during the weekend. Advance registration for field trips is necessary. Please call 304-259-5216

FRIDAY—June 3, 2022 

2:00 P.M. REGISTRATION OPEN IN BLACKWATER FALLS LODGE

3:00 P.M.

BIRDING ESSENTIALS WORKSHOP

Birding is one of those special activities that can be enjoyed by anyone at any skill level. Whether you are an experienced birder or a beginner, this class will help you expand and improve your birding abilities. We will explore appearance, behavior, location, sound, equipment and other topics. These insights and techniques will help you expand your birding skills and enjoyment. This program is open to the public.

7:00 p.m.

THRUSHES OF WEST VIRGINIA

Learn the identification, by sight and sound, of this sometimes difficult bird group. The thrushes are among the most amazing songsters of all the North American birds. West Virginia has the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River allowing us to be the nesting home of several of these special birds. This program is open to the public.

SATURDAY—June 4, 2022 

Field Trip—6:00 a.m.

Olson Fire Tower/Fernow Experimental Forest Field Trip

A host of warblers can be expected at the two outstanding areas we will visit on this field trip, including: Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Bland and White, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Canada, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Louisiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird. Also possible are Northern Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler and several others. Expect to hear the beautiful songs of the Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush and Veery, as well as many other birds. This field trip is my registration only. Please call Paulita Cousin at 304-259-5216.

7:00 p.m.

Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in Blackwater Falls Lodge.

The Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia’s mission is to conserve our region’s wild birds through research, education, and rehabilitation. This interactive presentation, featuring several live, non releasable birds. We will discuss the important role birds play in healthy ecosystems as well as the natural histories of the educational birds. Bring your cameras and questions! This program is free and open to the public.

SUNDAY—June 5, 2022 

Field Trip—6:30 a.m.

Canaan Loop Road Field Trip

A high elevation road atop Canaan Mountain. Expect to stop along the road and take short walks as we explore the many interesting habitats the road travels through. Several trails transect the road and we will explore short sections of these trails. Many interesting high elevation plants and some that are unique to wetlands can be seen. A wide variety of birds can be expected along this road. In past trips we have seen or heard Swainson’s Thrush, Northern Waterthrush, Red Crossbill, Winter Wren, Mourning Warbler and Mountain State Bird Discovery Weekend other bird species. This is an out and back trip. This field trip is my registration only. Please call Paulita Cousin at 304-259-5216.

Learn more:
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