Celebrate May Day in the wilds of Guilford County helping to record our local and migratory bird populations. Early May is one of the best times to be out in nature, and your participation in this count will contribute to our knowledge of the bird life around us. Beginners are welcome. Call Elizabeth Link at
336-272-4672 or e-mail her at elzlink@yahoo.com for more information.

Wed., May 5, 6:00  BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS AND BIRDS!! OH MY!! - An Evening Walk in Lake Daniel Park With Audubon 

 On WEDNESDAY MAY 5, 6:00 pm members of the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society will gather with folks from the Westerwood neighborhood for an evening stroll along N. Buffalo Creek in Lake Daniel Park. We’ll amble along the creek for an hour or so looking for spring wildflowers, birds, butterflies and whatever wonders of nature we come upon along the creek. We may even open one of the Chapter’s bluebird boxes to check for baby birds.

 So if you are not keen on getting up with the birds, here is your chance for an evening encounter. Get away from the TV or computer and join us and our Westerwood friends for an evening in the park. We’ll gather along the bike path near the tennis courts in Lake Daniel Park for an easy walk. Don’t forget your binoculars. Call or e-mail Jack Jezorek for information: suejackj@bellsouth.net;   272-6664.

 That’s WEDNESDAY MAY 5, 6:00 pm by the tennis courts.

May’s program, “Orchids in the Piedmont”, brings to an end our 2009 -2010 series that has focused on discovering nature in the Piedmont. If you think of orchids as a tropical species, you may be surprised to learn that North Carolina has over 50 species of native orchids. Local naturalist and nature photographer David McAdoo will introduce us to the ones that grow near us.

Join the BioBlitz! Watch wildlife, have fun, learn, and contribute to science all at the same time! Naturalists from all over the Piedmont will descend on Price Park for a full day to identify every living thing they can find. Join any of the 17 guided trips into the park to discover nature in the Piedmont. No experience needed – just a sense of wonder.

To start the fun, we’ll have a pre-BioBlitz! social on May 14th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Road. Our featured speaker, Cecil Frost, will begin at 6:30. For more information, click here.

The Green Swamp features some of the country’s finest examples of Longleaf Pine savannahs, but the largest part of the swamp is occupied by the evergreen shrub bogs called pocosins.  Many species of birds, included the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (and what may be of more interest to some, both Henslow’s and Bachman’s sparrows).  Many butterflies also inhabit the swamp, along with a number of native orchids and at least 14 species of insectivorous plants. 

This field trip will not concentrate on a single aspect of wild North Carolina but will be general in character in recognition of fact that most Audubon members and their friends have a broad appreciation of nature.  Some of the details of the trip are still in the process of being worked out, and additional information will be provided shortly.  If you are interested in this trip, contact Gregg Morris at 336.883.3270 or gregg.morris@highpointnc.gov .

Reserve the morning of June 12th for birding in Price Park,followed by breakfast and a meeting to plan activities for next year. At the meeting we will elect officers for next year and gather ideas for 2010 – 2011. We’ll send out more details as the date approaches.