Last week we highlighted a few easy ways to help novice birders get started. This week, Mitch Robinson, the conservation education manager at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, Mississippi, walks us through a few of the most common birds found at Splinter Creek (plus a few rare sightings). So grab a pair of binoculars and keep those eagle eyes open.
Also, mark the calendar for September 7-9, when birds of a feather will be flocking together at Strawberry Plains' 19th annual Hummingbird Migration & Nature Celebration, one of the Southeast's biggest nature festivals.
Birds You Know
Build confidence, especially in young birders, by starting with the birds you already know, such as the blue jay, American robin and red-bellied woodpecker.
Small Birds
Children seem to fixate on tiny things, so be sure to point out some of the smallest feathered friends, including the tufted titmouse, the Carolina wren, and the Carolina chickadee.
Brightly Colored Birds
Spotting bright colors in nature is always a thrill. Look out for the electric blue Easter bluebird and the pine warbler with a shock of yellow.
Rare Birds
Sighting a rare species might be the most exciting of all. In north Mississippi, be on the lookout for the breath-taking scarlet tanager in the summer, and the Le Conte's sparrow in the winter months.
