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Help Urbana Park District count birds for science on February 16

The Urbana Park District’s Anita Purves Nature Center is inviting everyone to help with bird conservation.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 16, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the nature center. The event is free for all ages.

“We’re asking everyone to help count the birds either from the nature center’s windowed Wildlife Observation Room or during guided hikes,” said Savannah Donovan, Environmental Public Program Coordinator.

People don’t need to be bird experts to take part. “We’ll teach people how to identify birds,” Donovan explained.

The day includes:

  • Bird Hikes at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dress for the weather and learn how to identify birds in Busey Woods.
  • Make a Bird Feeder from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Make a feeder from repurposed materials and learn what kinds of food attract different types of birds.
  • Nest Builders from 1 – 3 p.m. – Learn how birds build nests as you dissect a real nest and then make a “nest helper” to take home.

People can also enjoy hands-on displays, live owls, and other exhibits throughout the nature center.

The February 16, event is part of the national Great Backyard Bird Count.

“Be sure to bring binoculars, or you can borrow some from the Nature Center,” Donovan said. She concluded, “This is a great way to learn more about birds in our area as citizen scientists help us take inventory of the bird population in Urbana.”

(Photo by Tyson Kruse)

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