The 11th annual Gloucester County BirdQuest was held on Saturday May 1, 2010.
When I think about the World Series of Birding I’m struck by the longevity of that event. For 27 years they have consistently produced one of the top birding events in the world. While the Gloucester County Bird Quest isn’t in the same league as the World Series of Birding, it is impressive none the less.
As we start our second decade, Bird Quest continues to provide a wonderful value to the residents of Gloucester County and the South Jersey area with the additional benefit of highlighting the wonderful diversity of bird species we have in Gloucester County.
Why do we have this impressive array of avian species? Because we still have some of the habitat needed to support these flying colors of spring. But, I am worried. We lose more and more habitat here in Gloucester County and the Country each year. I’m hoping in the next year we can preserve another small area in Gloucester County – the old Maple Ridge golf course. If we don’t succeed then we will have lost just one more piece of open space but I think we need to draw the line somewhere. What we can gain is the knowledge that the same birds we see today will be around for our children and grand children.
Everyone knows the saying from the movie “Field of Dreams” – “If you build it, they will come.” But I would turn this saying around and say – “If you build it, the birds will be gone.” Help us preserve it. But more to come on that in future newsletters … For now, here is the update on Bird Quest.
We had another fantastic Bird Quest!! When I think about the World Series of Birding I’m struck by the longevity of that event. For 27 years they have consistently produced one of the top birding events in the world. While the Gloucester County Bird Quest isn’t in the same league as the World Series of Birding, it is impressive none the less.
As we start our second decade, Bird Quest continues to provide a wonderful value to the residents of Gloucester County and the South Jersey area with the additional benefit of highlighting the wonderful diversity of bird species we have in Gloucester County.
Why do we have this impressive array of avian species? Because we still have some of the habitat needed to support these flying colors of spring. But, I am worried. We lose more and more habitat here in Gloucester County and the Country each year. I’m hoping in the next year we can preserve another small area in Gloucester County – the old Maple Ridge golf course. If we don’t succeed then we will have lost just one more piece of open space but I think we need to draw the line somewhere. What we can gain is the knowledge that the same birds we see today will be around for our children and grand children.
Everyone knows the saying from the movie “Field of Dreams” – “If you build it, they will come.” But I would turn this saying around and say – “If you build it, the birds will be gone.” Help us preserve it. But more to come on that in future newsletters … For now, here is the update on Bird Quest.
Our winning team saw 74 species while the event’s combined participants saw 122. We had 250 people registered for the event and Woodford Cedar Run Refuge with their live birds back at the park was a great cap to a wonderful day.
Everyone received our Bird Quest t-shirt, a poster on bird migration in Gloucester County and had a nice lunch. This poster is a great addition to the t-shirt and another helpful educational tool. In addition, we had three full buses this year; with one bus filled with girl scouts who had a wonderful time.
I look forward to seeing everyone next year – May 7, 2011 at our 12th annual Bird Quest. We hope to keep the momentum going from this year and make next year’s Quest even better.
Thank you to all the sponsors and to all the people who helped to make this event a success.
If you would like to help or be a part of the planning committee please contact Brian Hayes at pnbhayes@comcast.net or call (856) 468-9272.
- Brian Hayes, BirdQuest Coordinator
A special thank you goes to all our cosponsors : Atlantic City Electric, Daminger’s Country Store & Wild Bird Depot, Dental Associates of Pitman, Educational Information & Resource Center, Gariel Screen Printing, Gloucester County Education Association, Gloucester County Parks & Recreation, Heritage Road Hummers, Troy McAuliffe - State Farm Agent, NuStar Foundation, PSE&G, Raccoon Valley Animal Hospital, Drs. Simmerman & Floyd, Optometrists, South Jersey Gas Company, Valero Refining Company, Wheelabrator Gloucester Company, L.P., Wild Birds Unlimited - Washington Twp, and the local environmental commissions of: Clayton, Deptford Twp, East Greenwich Twp, Elk Twp, Franklin Twp, Greenwich Twp, Harrison Twp, Logan Twp, Mantua Twp, Monroe Twp, Pitman, South Harrison Twp, Washington Twp, Wenonah, Westville, Woolwich Twp.
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