Volunteers to lead specialized workshops, bird walks and more
throughout the National Heritage Corridor
Whitinsville, MA (February 26, 2018) – Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. (BHC) announces the return of its volunteer-led spring birding program which this year will include some new additions to take the program to exciting new heights.
Two “Birding by Ear” workshops will be led by Beth and Paul Milke, highly experienced interpretive volunteers with the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program which is operated by BHC in coordination with the National Park Service. “Experienced birdwatchers often hear and can identify birds before seeing them by listening to their songs and calls,” Beth Milke explained. The workshop will teach participants what makes these calls unique and offer tips on developing their skills. The “Birding by Ear” workshops will be at BHC’s office in Whitinsville, MA, on March 13 and April 10.
The 2018 “Birding the Blackstone” program also includes the return of the “Sky Dance of the Woodcock” event at River Bend Farm visitor center in MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR)’s Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, in Uxbridge, MA, on Saturday, March 24. “The field at River Bend Farm is prime habitat for the American Woodcock, a shorebird with large eyes and a long bill,” Milke explained. “At dusk, participants will listen for the male Woodcocks’ unusual call, and track the flight by the sound of their wings.”
There will also be four weekend bird walks in April and May at locations including US Army Corps of Engineers’ West Hill Park in Uxbridge, MA; MA DCR’s River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, MA; RI Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, RI; and RI DEM’s Lincoln Woods State Park, also in Lincoln, RI.
And new this year, BHC is offering a “Birding by Boat” event on June 9. By partnering with Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone (BRWC/FOB) and departing from BRWC/FOB’s Environmental Education Center in Lincoln, RI, there will be a terrific opportunity to enjoy a brief workshop on identifying birds followed by a paddle on the Blackstone River where those skills will be immediately put to use.
For complete event details, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorrridor.org or call the office at (508) 234-4242. Program brochures are also available.
The Birding the Blackstone program is presented by Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. (BHC) in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM), and Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone.
About Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc.:
An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. partners with organizations, local communities, businesses and residents to ensure the long term vitality of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Learn more at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.