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Virginia Military Institute professor emeritus and ornithologist Dick Rowe will give a talk and slide show about the Rockbridge Christmas Bird Count, an Audubonsponsored event that local birders have participated in for nearly a century.
Rowe’s presentation, sponsored by the Rockbridge Bird Club, is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Piovano Room at Rockbridge Regional Library. The evening begins at 6:30 with a social gathering, followed by the presentation at 7. The program is free and open to all.
Rowe will talk about the history of the national CBC and of Rockbridge participation dating back to 1923. He’ll describe how and where the local count takes place, and note interesting trends revealed by the data over time, including now common species that weren’t here before, and rarities that have popped up over the years. This year’s local Christmas Bird Count will take place Dec. 21.
Rowe is a renowned nature bird photographer as well as club ornithologist. His talk will be liberally illustrated with his own photos and draw information from the Birds of the Greater Rockbridge County, Virginia Area, a database including CBC counts and observations first published in 1957 by J.J. Murray and kept current by Rowe on his nature photography website: dickrowenaturephotography. com.
Birding at Boxerwood
Rockbridge Bird Club also invites area residents to join them this Saturday, Nov. 9, for “Birding at Boxerwood.” Boxerwood walks, scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, are an excellent introduction for those new to birding and rewarding for “regulars” as well.
During the November walk, participants are likely to see and hear many of the species that have returned to winter in Rockbridge, including the White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and a variety of finches.
Birders will meet in the parking lot at Boxerwood (963 Ross Road) at 8:30 a.m. for a two-hour stroll. Participants should bring their own binoculars and wear sturdy footwear.
Walks are cancelled for rain. For more information or an iffy weather update, visit the Rockbridge Bird Club on Facebook or contact Bonnie Bernstein at (540) 460-9147 or bonnie.bernstein@gmail. com.
