Events and opportunities for young birders.

Jr. Birders' Club at Thacher Nature Center

Thacher Nature Center at Thacher State Park holds monthly Jr. Birders' Club meetings. The meetings are open to the public but focus on the Jr. Birders. Programs are free but some have a small materials fee. Parking is free. Directions: Here's a Google Map

• Sunday, January 15, at 3:30pm: Owls & an Owl Prowl at Thacher Nature Center

View owl mounts of several species, learn lots of cool facts about owls, listen to & learn various owl calls, dissect an owl pellet, and then go out on snowshoes to call & listen for owls. Dress in warm, QUIET layers for cold outdoor portion. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. This program is part of our Jr. Birder Series and is open to all. Materials fee of $3 includes use of snow shoes. Come 1/2 hour early to participate in Project FeederWatch. Call 872-0800 to register, space is limited.

• Sunday, February 19, at 9:30am: Birding Skills & the “Great Backyard Bird Count” at Thacher Nature Center

Learn how to use binoculars, field guides and bird identification keys. Practice your new skills at the bird observation window, where participants will identify and count bird species for the “Great Backyard Bird Count”. This citizen-science project can be done from your own living room! We’ll teach you how! Bring binoculars and field guides, or we will provide. Call 872-0800 to register. This indoor program, open to adults and families, is part of our Jr. Birder series.

New York State Young Birders Club

This club is for young birders ages 10-19 inclusive. The club runs field trips and other events. Check out its web page. Sponsored by the New York State Ornithological Association.