ALABAMA STATE LANDS DIVISION’S EIGHTH ANNUAL BIRD AWARENESS DAY

1. ALABAMA STATE LANDS DIVISION’SEIGHTH ANNUAL BIRD AWARENESS DAY Presented at the new Wehle Land Conservation Center April 2nd, 2005

21. ALABAMA STATE LANDS DIVISION’SEIGHTH ANNUAL BIRD AWARENESS DAYPresented at the new Wehle Land Conservation CenterApril 2nd, 2005 • The Alabama State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is sponsoring the eighth annual Bird Awareness Day at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Midway, Bullock County, Alabama on Saturday, April 2nd, 2005. This special event will begin at 9:00 A.M. and last until 5:00 P.M. • Bird Awareness Day is designed to foster an appreciation of birds. This event is held annually and focuses on the importance of birds to the environment, bird identification and what people are doing today to conserve birds. Knowledgeable and experienced professionals will present informative talks to help people learn more about birds in Alabama and to promote awareness of important issues facing birds today. This event is planned to coincide with spring migration, to increase chances of observing many different species of birds within a short time. • The Wehle Land Conservation Center is an educational facility located in the heart of the Forever Wild Wehle Tract. The Center features a series of restored early-period log cabins with information emphasizing the Alabama pioneer’s relationship to land during that era. The Center’s surroundings show visitors a diversity of wildlife. The tract features two fishing ponds, hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding trails, and picnic facilities. Canoes are also available to the public. The trails, canoeing, and fishing are open the first Saturday of each month and the cabins are opened the first Saturday of each quarter. • Speakers for this year’s Bird Awareness Day include representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Conservation Southeast, Inc., and the Auburn Raptor Rehabilitation Center. • Concurrent to the event, live demonstrations will be featured all day at the Conservation Center’s complex showcasing early lifestyle activities. Auburn University’s Agronomy and Soils Department and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will have a hands-on exhibit demonstrating how corn meal and wheat flour are produced. The public will be able to shell corn and grind corn and wheat the way the early settlers did it. In addition, the public will be able to try corn meal lace cakes made from the corn meal they produced. Blacksmithing will also be demonstrated onsite. 2005 Featured Guests & Speakers: • Auburn’s Southeastern Raptor Center: “Birds of Prey and the Southeastern Raptor Center” presented by Roy Crowe and volunteers. Roy Crowe, Director of Conservation and Education & Master Class Falconer, and volunteers will provide an educational program on various topics regarding raptors, their rehabilitation, and aspects of hunting with birds. The presentation will be outdoors. Live birds, featuring one of Auburn’s eagles, will be displayed and some raptors will be flown! The Raptor Center is located at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine and has developed into one of the nation’s foremost centers dedicated to birds of prey. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge: “Management of Waterfowl and Nongame Birds at Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge” presented by Milton Hubbard. Milton Hubbard, Eufaula NWR biologist, will discuss the importance of waterfowl management and some techniques they use to manage waterfowl on the NWR. Additional topics include management of other wildlife such as nongame birds. Information about the refuge will be available. • Conservation Southeast, Inc.: “Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Alabama, Why should we care?” presented by Mark Bailey. Mark Bailey, owner of Conservation Southeast, will give an overview of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Alabama and the measures being taken to help conserve and restore this species in the Southeast. • Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section: “Challenges of Bird Migration” and “Birding by Ear” presented by Eric Soehren. Eric Soehren, Natural Heritage Section biologist, will give a presentation of what bird migration is, where it occurs, and the challenges that migrants face every minute during their long journey. He will later lead a bird walk emphasizing the identification of birds by their songs on the lands surrounding the Center. The bird walk will be the last event of the day and will target species occurring within the open, pine woodland community. • Auburn University, Agronomy and Soils Department and Alabama Cooperative Extension System: “How Early Settlers Made Corn Meal and Wheat Flour” demonstrated by Chris Dillard and others. Representatives from Auburn’s Agronomy and Soils Department will have a grain crops demonstration for the public to experience. The public, especially children will be able to shell corn and grind corn and wheat the way the early settlers did it. Additionally, taste the fruits of your labor by having some freshly made corn meal lace cakes. This hands-on demonstration will be showcased all day in front of the Farmer’s building at the Conservation Center. • There is no charge for admission. Binoculars Suggested. Food will be available. Bird related items will be available by vendors. Special accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities. For more information call the Alabama State Lands Division at 1-800-LAND-ALA.

22. AGENDA 9:00- 9:30 Bird Awareness Day Activities Begin Winged Migration movie featured at the Nature Center Trails, Canoeing, and Fishing open Hands-on Demonstrations, Exhibits & Vendors at Conservation Center 9:30-10:00 Talk: Bird Management at Eufaula NWR (Milton Hubbard) (USFWS, Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge) 10:00-10:45 Outdoor Live Raptor Presentation (Roy Crowe and Volunteers) (Auburn’s Southeastern Raptor Center, BIRDS WILL BE FLOWN) 10:45-11:45 Wagon Rides (Two trails showcasing the Forever Wild tract) Talk: Challenges of Bird Migration Presentation (Eric Soehren) 11:45-12:45 LUNCH-BBQ (Continuous Hands-on Demonstrations & Vendors) 12:45- 1:15 Talk; Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Alabama (Mark Bailey) (Conservation Southeast, Inc.) 1:30- 2:15 Outdoor Live Raptor Presentation (Roy Crowe and Volunteers) (Auburn’s Southeastern Raptor Center, BIRDS WILL BE FLOWN) 2:30- 3:30 Wagon Rides (Two trails showcasing the Forever Wild tract) 3:30- 5:00 Bird Walk identifying birds by ear (Eric Soehren) (Continuous Hands-on Demonstrations, Exhibits & Vendors) 5:00 Event Ends The Wagon Rides feature two separate routes (Bluebird & Cardinal) showcasing the natural communities found on the Forever Wild tract. One route will feature the open, pine dominated woodlands (Bluebird Trail); the other route will feature the bottomland hardwoods along the creeks and streams (Cardinal Trail). Each ride will be led by a Lands staff member identifying the wildlife and discussing how lands are managed for conservation and recreation.