The popular “Birding Around the Sun” nature hikes will return to Kanawha State Forest this May, and, for the third year, the hikes will be led by Sara Miller, a seasonal naturalist for two years who's returning as a volunteer naturalist this year.
Miller has recorded many species seen and heard in the forest since the beginning of the program and has compiled the information into a publication titled “Polly Hollow – Spring Bird Migration,” which is now available at the forest office, compliments of the Kanawha State Forest Foundation.
The compilation includes a listing of 24 species of birds, along with locations where they may be seen or heard, and information about their habitat, vertical diversity, migration or breeding species, and times of year they are most likely to be observed.
The “Birding Around the Sun” hikes are open to the public at no cost and are scheduled for the following dates:
- May 13, 2017 – Range Road and Ellison Pond – 2 miles, easy to moderate, starts at 9 a.m., meet at the Nature Center.
- May 20, 2017 – Two Hikes – Spotted Salamander Trail, 0.25 miles, easy, starts at 9 a.m., meet at the Nature Center; Polly Hollow Trail/Wildcat Ridge, 2 miles, easy to moderate then difficult, starts at 11 a.m., meet at Polly Hollow.
- May 27, 2017 – CCC Snipe Trail and Shrewsbury Hollow – 2 miles, easy to moderate, starts at 9 a.m., meet at the Nature Center.
- June 3, 2017 – Nature Trails Day Hike: Pigeon Roost/Ridge Roads/Black Bear trails – 4 miles, difficult, starts at 11 a.m., meet at the Nature Center.
For more information about Kanawha State Forest and events, visit www.kanawhastateforest.com or call 304-558-3500.
