Overview: Join the Oak Spring Biodiversity Conservation Team for a winter bird count across the Oak Spring landscape. This morning outing will include a guided walk through portions of our 700-acre property as we count all the birds we see and hear—among them some regular winter residents such as short-eared owls, northern harriers, and a variety of other overwintering species.
Our count will follow the protocols of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC), a long-standing annual effort across the Western Hemisphere to monitor bird populations and track changes over time. Although Oak Spring lies outside an official CBC circle, the data collected will make an important contribution to our ongoing population monitoring and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Please note, this event will not include a tour of the library, formal garden, or main residence. However, guests will be invited to stop by our Gallery and Gift Shop at the end of the count.
What to Expect: Please expect several hours of moderate walking across hilly fields and similar uneven terrain. Participants should arrive with proper footwear, sufficient water, and dress appropriately for the weather, rain or shine. Binoculars and digital cameras encouraged.
About OSGF: The Oak Spring estate, protected by Paul and Bunny Mellon as part of a conservation easement, features a rich mixture of fields, meadows, woods, streams, and wetlands. OSGF is actively stewarding the land to protect and foster wildlife communities on the estate. In accordance with the mission of the Foundation, OSGF’s Biodiversity Team is actively working to inventory the diversity of plants and animals on site, cultivate their habitats, and share these biotic treasures with the public.
Photo Release Statement: By attending this event, you consent to your likeness and image being used for ongoing promotional and marketing efforts.
Availability: The Winter Bird Count will be capped at 10 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Zeffy until full.
Header Image: Barred Owl, Joshua Rector