Hocking Hills State Park Launches Free Hands-on Birding Course
by www.1800Hocking.com
Logan, OH USA –
Fast becoming one of the nation’s most active birding destinations, visitors to
southeast Ohio’s dazzling Hocking Hills region now have even more ways to discover
the area’s incredible rare and unique bird population. Beginning March 31, 2007, Hocking Hills State
Park
naturalists will offer a five-week birding course designed to introduce
visitors to birding issues, habitat and behavior in a remarkably hands-on
format. This highly interactive approach
to birding will include hikes each week for Identification, bird behavior
studies, observing and photographing techniques, bird feeding, etc.
Registration is recommended and is made by calling (740) 385-8003, extention
213. Participants will meet every
Saturday at 8:00
a.m. at the Hocking Hills
Dining Lodge March 31-April 28.
“Each week’s activities and instruction can stand on
its own,” said Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist Pat Quackenbush. “Thus, one-time visitors are welcome to
participate and will certainly find the programs memorable, as well as
valuable.”
Anyone who completes all of the five Saturday programs
will receive a certificate and special recognition at Hocking Hills’ annual International
Migratory Bird Weekend, May
11-13, 2007. During the weekend, area naturalists and bird
lovers celebrate the return of migratory birds with a variety of programs,
hikes and special events. Launched two
years ago, the Hocking Valley Birding
Trail educates travelers on the best locations and tips for spotting the most
unique bird species that visit or live in the Hocking Hills. The region’s thousands of acres of unbroken
forest and isolation from noise, lights and pollution make the area a frequent stopover
for exotic species, such as those that frequent rainforests and tropical locales.
The bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, several species of warblers, the
yellow-bellied sapsucker and the redheaded woodpecker are other favorites often
spotted in the area.
From June to September, visitors also enjoy a one-of-a-kind
birding experience as they hand feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State
Park. This exceptional program is offered mid-June through
September
1, 2007 and starts at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays and 7:00 p.m. on Fridays. Guests
first see a video and displays of hummingbird species before learning the best
techniques for luring the elusive ruby-throated hummingbirds to a hand-held
feeder.
Beyond the outstanding birding, hiking, waterfalls,
cliffs, forests and many other natural attractions, the Hocking Hills offers
wide variety of accommodations, from camping and cabins to hotels and country
inns. The Hocking Hills area also offers
unique gift and antique shops, kayaking, horseback riding, golf and more. Complete Hocking Hills’ visitor information
is available online at www.1800Hocking.com or toll-free at 1-800-HOCKING.
Created: Mar. 21, 2007
Last updated: Mar. 21, 2007
