Don't know what Gloucester County BirdQuest is? Well, check it out.....
Bird Quest is a half day event from 7am to noon on the first Saturday in May (this year it's on May 2, 2009), with the purpose to find as many different bird species as possible in Gloucester County. This event is family and child friendly. It is a unique way for the entire family to discover the birds of Gloucester County. As you learn the birds you will also discover the natural places and varied habitats we have in the County. See below for the exciting 10 year anniversary celebration plans we have for this event.
The rules are simple: Identify as many different bird species as you can between 7am and noon staying within the boundary of Gloucester County. You can participate in one of the following ways:
Form a team, plan your route (locations you will visit) for the day of the event and record all the bird species you see within Gloucester County. Hand in your results at Atkinson Park no later than 12:30 to be eligible for prizes.
Join one of two buses lead by a bird expert. These buses will visit a few locations in the County where bird experts will help you to identify the many bird species. The buses will meet back at Atkinson Park between noon and 12:30pm.
New this year for the 10th Anniversary: there will be three walks, each lasting between an hour and an hour and a half, in various natural places in Gloucester County led by a bird expert who will help you identify the bird species present. These walks will be paced and placed so you can participate in all of the walks or just one or two while you spend the rest of the time birding on your own. Hand in your results at Atkinson Park no later than 12:30 to be eligible for prizes.
No matter how you participate, everyone meets at Atkinson Park between noon and 12:30 to hand in their results (total number of bird species seen that day from 7am to noon), share stories, activities, games, and for a free lunch. The emphasis of this event is on learning and sharing, not on the competition. Everyone who participates receives a t-shirt and is eligible for a variety of prizes.
This year, since it is a special year (10th year anniversary) we will be having games and activities at Atkinson Park for the children as well as live animals they can see up close.
The day will culminate in a presentation from a wildlife handler from Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge who will have live birds and animals. They will discuss what these animals eat, where they sleep, and the habits and habitats of each species. The cost to participate is $12 per person. In addition, you can purchase additional t-shirts, bird identification flash cards ($4), or “The Natural Places of Gloucester County” book ($12) created by the Nature Club to promote the natural beauty of our County which will help you identify birds or locations to visit during the event.
You say you don't know one bird from another? The Gloucester County Nature Club offers a series of training sessions in the weeks leading up to the event itself to teach you everything from the basics of bird watching to identifying birds not by sight but by their songs or calls. These trainings are worthwhile even if you already know how to identify birds. They can help you discover the natural places of Gloucester County as well. During the trainings you will visit some of the many local places where you can enjoy nature anytime of the year. These locations are perfect for photography of animals and plants of Gloucester County. More information about Bird Quest and the application will be available in January of 2009. If you have immediate questions you can call Brian Hayes at 856.582.7000 x110.