BOYDS, MD – Naturalists for The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission are inviting park visitors, bird lovers and all those interested in nature to “Hummingbirds Over Black Hill” a special two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14, at Black Hill Regional Park Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, Maryland. Black Hill Regional Park naturalists and the Wild Bird Center of Gaithersburg are co-sponsoring these presentations for adults and older students.
Saturday, August 13, 5-9 p.m., naturalist, educator and scientist Dr. Bill Hilton, Jr. will present his GLOBE/Operation Rubythroat Citizen Science training session at Black Hill Visitor Center. This crossdisciplinary international initiative trains students, teachers and interested adults to collect and collaborate in the study of the behavior and distribution of ruby-throated hummingbirds. Participants live in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central America where hummingbirds are found. For more information on this initiative, those interested may log on to www.hiltonpond.org. Registration is through www.parkpass.org, and the program number is 2952. Onsite registration just prior to the event is also available for all three sessions.
Sunday, August 14, Dr. Hilton will lead two “Hummingbird Mornings" at Black Hill, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to attract these feathered dynamos as Dr. Hilton live-traps, gently handles, bands and releases these “jewels of nature.” Participants will enjoy close-up video camera views during the presentation, followed by questions and answers. For more information, those interested may log on to www.hiltonpond.org/presentationsmain.html. Registration is through www.parkpass.org, and the program numbers are 2953 and 2954 respectively.
Dr. Hilton is from the Piedmont Center for Natural History in York, South Carolina.
“Wear red and become a hummingbird fancier,” said M-NCPPC naturalist Fawn Foerster. “Teachers, older students and adults will learn how to invite these winged wonders into your yard using nectar flowers, sugar-water feeders and habitat enhancements. They can visit our newly installed Hummingbird RainGarden, the Shade Hummingbird Garden and other habitat gardens and meadows at Black Hill.”
Those interested may register and pay the fee online at www.parkpass.org. For more information call Black Hill Visitor Center at 301-916-0220, log on to www.blackhillnature.org or contact Fawn Foerster, 301-444-3144, Fawn.Foerster@mncppc-mc.org.
