Birding in Chapel Hill

"Let's Fly Away" Relocating to Chapel Hill is a unique experience for birders and their families. Here are some resources to help you get started: • The Chapel Hill Bird Club, founded in the 1930s, is the only bird club located in the Research Triangle area. Monthly meetings take place from September through May of each year, with weekly field trips from September through April.  • The North Carolina Hotspots website offers numerous locations for birdwatching and events for the birding enthusiast. The site also provides a statewide hotline to call when you have spotted a rare species in the area. • The New Hope Audubon Society (NHAS) is the National Audubon Society chapter serving Orange, Durham and Chatham counties. The mission of this group is “to promote the conservation and enjoyment of birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems through public education, field research, advocacy, direct citizen action and contributions to other nonprofit organizations with similar goals.” The NHAS has an impressive calendar of events and list of special projects for birders to enjoy. • eNature.com “brings nature to life” by encompassing all aspects of nature and wildlife on their site. Included are search filters to locate native species of birds in your locale. • Meetup.com allows you to “meet up” with others in your area who are interested in bird rescue. You can simply search for other birders, or you can join the site so others can find you! Involving Your Children in Birding Birding in Chapel Hill is not only for adults – there are many resources for the younger generation of birders out there. If you want to spend some quality time in nature with your children, buy a birding book and head to your local park for an impromptu field trip. For a more structured birding experience, try these out:   • The Naturalist Center is located at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. The center allows visitors 8 years and up, with 8- to 11-year-olds accompanied by an adult, to experience their large collection of specimens including “birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, plants, fossils, rocks, minerals and more.” The Naturalist Center is open June-August, Tuesday-Friday 11:00am - 3:00pm, Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm - 4:00pm. • Natural History Investigations is a North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences student program that encourages middle and high school students to “investigate scientific concepts” using the Naturalist Center’s specimen collections and lab equipment. The “Adaptations in Birds and Mammals” program for grades 6-12 provides specimens from the bird and mammal collections for students to “analyze the similarities and differences in anatomy, form and function” between the two animal groups.  • The “Birds of a Feather” program at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC. The class is for children ages 6 and up, and discusses the extraordinary qualities of birds. • The Triangle Land Conservancy in Raleigh envelops four conservation properties, which allows nature lovers to enjoy birdwatching in a well-maintained environment. • The Jordan Lake Educational State Forest is one of the most recent members of North Carolina’s Educational State Forest System. This resource was designed to be an outdoor classroom for all ages. The forest is home to a large mixture of wildlife, including songbirds, birds of prey, deer, beavers and flying squirrels. Chapel Hill Resources for Domestic Bird Owners Chapel Hill presents a variety of resources for domestic bird owners. With businesses providing an assortment of supplies, board certified advice, and veterinary medicine, Chapel Hill is the perfect locale for bird enthusiasts! • The Birdie Boutique in Durham offers a wide variety of services, including “hundreds of avian care products to choose from”, veterinary advice, and recommendations of their wares. • Wild Birds Unlimited in Chapel Hill caters to the “backyard birdfeeding enthusiast” by providing supplies, advice, education, free offers, and free email news to the local birder. • Wild Bird Center of Chapel Hill promises to be “your resource for backyard bird watching and feeding”. The center contains an extensive selection of birdseed blends that are “field-tested and proven to attract a variety of birds”. Avian Vets in Chapel Hill and the Surrounding Area Sometimes it may be difficult to find a veterinarian in the area who will care for your domestic birds. Here are two businesses that will do just that: 1. Dr. Lauren Powers, D.V.M., A.B.V.P.     Timberlyne Just for Cats & Birds     110 Banks Drive     Chapel Hill, NC 27514     (919) 918-4000         2. Avian & Exotic Animal Care, P.A.     8711 Fidelity Blvd.     Raleigh, NC 27617     (919) 844-9166     www.avianandexotic.com Whether you are a novice to birding, or a professional with years of experience under your belt, Chapel Hill offers a multitude of resources to accommodate all of your avian needs!