The Lynchburg Bird Club will hold its first meeting of the fall a week from today, which is a great time for anyone to visit who has ever wondered if the local bird club might provide the opportunities to learn more about the feathered creatures that share our environment.
The Sept. 9 meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in room 315 of the Martin Science Hall on the campus of Randolph College.
Our guest speaker will be Jennifer Chaudrue, director of Birds of Prey Rescue. This facility, located in Amherst County, specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of hawks, owls and vultures. Many of the birds taken in for treatment are either orphans or have been struck by cars.
After assessing the animal’s needs and obtaining veterinary care, if required, the birds are kept at the center for rehabilitation. Of course, the ultimate goal is to release healthy wild birds back into their natural habitats. Jennifer Chaudrue will talk about the work at the center and share some of her experiences caring for these injured birds of prey.
In addition to the featured speaker, we will also have information on upcoming events. Our first field trip will actually take place before the bird club meeting. On Sept. 5, we will visit Long Island Park in southern Campbell County. If you are interested in participating, meet at 7 a.m. at Yellow Branch School on U.S. 29.
The park borders the Staunton River, and we hope that the migration may push a few shorebirds our way. We will also search the brushy roadsides for some of those secretive warblers and other songbirds that managed to elude us when they moved through our region in the spring. We will return to Lynchburg before noon.
Guests are welcome at all Lynchburg Bird Club meetings. The evening always concludes with a short refreshment break, providing an opportunity to speak with club members or to pick up an application for membership.
News and notes
A number of interesting birds have been seen in our area recently. Both black and Forester’s terns were found at Smith Mountain Lake on Aug. 25, and these birds lingered through at least Aug. 27. A variety of shorebirds, including semipalmated plovers as well as semipalmated sandpipers, were seen at Lynchburg College Lake on Aug. 29.
Many hummingbirds are still moving through Lynchburg. You should leave your feeders in place until at least one week has passed without sighting a bird. I always leave mine up through December in hopes that a western migrant will decide to visit me.
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