Inaugural Bilingual Bird Walk
during
International Migratory Bird Day Celebrations with National Parks Service
Lead by: Nydia Gutierrez
Join me folks! Very excited to combine the Spanish and English experince with my passion, birding. As this is an all-day celebration, stick around after the bird walk for more bird fun, full IMBD here.
What to bring:
— A Notebook
— Writing Utensil
— Sunscreen
— Cute Hat Optional
— Hiking Attire & Footware
— Snack
— Water Bottle
— Yaaasss, Birding!
Earlier this month I had the honor of visiting Washington, D.C.’s Capital City Public Charter School to chat with Ms. Royse’s high school urban ecology class. As the class is currently covering birds, we took a brief birding trip to National Parks Service: Fort Slocum Park which is a short walk over from campus. We started the visit with a meet and greet over lunch (thanks class!). We went around the table to share a bit about ourselves, for example as the students are seniors, they shared their college and future goals. It was extremely inspiring to hear from the students, and the conversation reminded me of my college journey. I explored collegiate track options early on, and with help from mentors I discovered my desired path by way of Environmental Science. I knew one thing– I wanted to be a steward of the outdoors, which lead me to ornithology and birding.
While out birding at Fort Slocum Park, we split into 2 groups. The first group spotted plenty of action in the park with these birds enjoying an early spring morning, Palm Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Wren, Eastern Towhee and White-throated Sparrow. While my group spotted the “usual suspects,” American Robins, European Starlings and House Sparrows, we also encountered a Northern Brownsnake along a trail which reminded us of the food chain and the park’s ecosystem, bird food!
We shared with the students that listening for the bird calls, particularly in the spring, can help the birder identify the species when not in visual range. In these woody areas you can often hear the teakettle-teakettle song at a distance from the male Carolina Wrens. We also shared interesting behaviors some bird’s exhibit. For example, the Brown-headed Cowbird is infamous for laying its eggs on another birds’ nest. Strategically picking on smaller species, which will allow the young cowbird to hoard food and eventually kick out the host birds.
As students are digitally savvy, we shared available online resources we as birders are increasingly utilizing more of. Apps and websites like eBird help folks easily keep a record of their bird lists which can be shared with the community as a whole. Folks can see what other birders have spotted in the area in real time and explore hotspots according to volume of birds observed.
As a Latina birder, it is important for me to connect with students and share my experiences, not only to encourage students to look into science careers but to showcase that everyone can find a way to connect with nature. Student athletes can visit the trails for endurance training, artist can find inspiration in the outdoors and those adventurers can find a new paths within parks and trails. With activities such as biking, hiking, birding, canoeing, kayaking and everything in between, students in this area have access to a myriad of outdoor options. And with their digital savvy-ness they can use handy apps to find the nearest parks and/or trails. I highly enjoyed sharing my experience with the bright minds of Ms. Royse’s class and future stewards of the outdoors. Best of luck to the students!
About Me:
Nydia Gutiérrez is a Texas native, hailing from the Rio Grande Valley, a major bird migratory corridor. Ornithology became a passion after taking it as a course in college which required students to enjoy the outdoors and identify birds. Gutiérrez currently resides in Washington, D.C. where she continues to chase the sun and follow the birds. Contact: Nydia@LatinoOutdoors.org
Here in the northeast the foliage has well begun to showcase the variance of colors as the trees are beginning their “sleep-cycle” and our summer migrators have left for their voyage south. Looking back at these successful seasons in birding, I see my “Birding Life List” is increasing with the various warblers and songbirds I would have otherwise not seen if I hadn’t gotten up early morning (I mean early) and get outdoors! During breeding season in spring birds are active locating a fruitful, suiting territory while showcasing their best tune to increase their chances of finding a mate. For birders and enthusiasts alike, this provides an ample opportunity to seek out certain species as (let’s be real) they are loud and a bit easier to spot. Below are a few short “bird stories” covering some of the adventures I have had with friends and colleagues here in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area otherwise known as the “DMV”.
(March 21, 2015) During this birding adventure on Kingman Island in D.C. we spotted everything from the tiny Downy Woodpecker to the majestic Wood Duck and a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds along with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet whose distinctive red mark over the head helps with the identification.
(April 11, 2015) In the woods of NPS: Prince William Forest Park we identified a pair of highly active Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and learned that the Carolina Chickadee and Black-capped Chickadee are hard to distinguish as they successfully interbreed and appear to look identical.
(April 13, 2015) Urban birding can be a great escape from the same ol’, same ol’. On this day we spotted a Red-bellied Woodpecker hard at work outside the courtyard of a luxury hotel in the Woodley Park area. Notice the famous Cherry Blossoms in bloom.
(April 25, 2015) This outing was certainly one for the books. Out in Fletcher’s Cove we spotted a Prothonotary Warbler with it’s distinct solid black beak, mostly yellow body and gray wings.
(May 2, 2015) The U.S. National Arboretum serves as an excellent location to learn about the local flora and fauna. On this outing I learned the distinct call of the Indigo Bunting. Learning calls can be a direct form of identifying a bird when visuals are not available at the moment.
(May 31, 2015) When on a group outing (photo on the left) can be a familiar sight. Birder who spots the bird passes the word along to the group and points out the species. Here in Fort Dupont Park we were in search of D.C.’s state bird, the Wood Thrush which was not spotted that day. Some days are hot, some days are not.
(August 15, 2015) On this very special day, I got to take my niece out on her very first birding trip! We spotted large waterfowl such as the Great Blue Heron (pictured above) at the NPS: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. #LatinasOutdoors
(November 22, 2015) Here is a preview of what fall birding will look like. As the birding adventures continue so do the great times outdoors. We spotted Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Bufflehead Duck and a Great Blue Heron at Luther Goldman Birding Trail in Maryland.
Of note, I do not have many photos of actual birds. For photos, especially for the smaller guys, it is necessary to have a professional lens one that my smartphone camera does not have.
I encourage folks to get out, dust off dad’s old binoculars from the garage and take a look at what you may find. Happy to help folks identify the birds, send me a note here: Nydia@LatinoOutdoors.org
About Me:
Nydia Gutiérrez is a Texas native, hailing from the Rio Grande Valley, a major bird migratory corridor. Ornithology became a passion after taking it as a course in college which required students to enjoy the outdoors and identify birds. Gutiérrez currently resides in Washington, D.C. where she continues to chase the sun and follow the birds.
