Story provided by Stillwater Public Library
The Stillwater Public Library is teaming up with the Payne County Audubon Society (PCAS) to host a bird walk on Saturday, May 15, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the OSU Botanic Gardens. All ages are welcome to register as long as an adult accompanies kids ages 12 and under.
Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or check out a bird watching kit available at the Library, thanks to a generous donation from PCAS.
“We were excited to donate 12 bird watching kits to the Library,” said Les Imboden, Treasurer at PCAS. “We hope to get others in the community interested in the hobby of birding.”
The kits include one high-quality pair of binoculars, a bird identification field guide, a pamphlet about Oklahoma birds and a “Birds of Payne County” checklist.
The local Audubon Society chapter is excited to get the community outdoors and learning about birds again. Seasoned PCAS birders will lead small groups of attendees instructing on best practices for birdwatching and how to identify bird species. Advice on garden designs to attract diverse species of birds to backyards and recommended park locations to watch birds will also be provided.
One of Imboden’s birdwatching tips is knowing the best times of day for spotting birds.
“Dawn and dusk are when birds are the most active,” according to Imboden. “Even though we’re starting at 10 a.m., it should still be early enough to see several species, and most importantly, learn about sighting birds.”
Many residents may not be aware of just how many birds live and travel through Oklahoma.
According to the World Birds Organization, there are almost 500 species of birds that people can see throughout the state. Bird walk attendees will spot some of the 83 permanent resident bird species of Oklahoma. They might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a rarer transient species, such as the white-winged dove, wood thrush or olive-sided flycatcher.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Participants can sign-up and access current COVID procedures on the Library’s event page at library.stillwater.org/register.php. Some of the guidelines include wearing masks and social distancing.
Headsets will also be available upon request for those who may have difficulty hearing while keeping safe distances. The Library will send instructions on where to meet at the OSU Botanic Garden to participants before the program.
More information about the Payne County Audubon Society is available at paynecountyaudubonsociety.com.
Please direct questions about the bird walk to the Library Help Desk at (405) 373-3633 ext. 8106 or [email protected].
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday- Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
