There were six teams of participants for this years’ Christmas Bird Count for Kids, which was held on Saturday, January 5. This program is modeled after Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, which is a census of birds by volunteer birdwatchers. Before heading out on the trail, families learned how to use binoculars and how to identify birds. Each group led by a guide, explored trails at either Reinstein Woods, Stiglmeier Park or Como Lake Park in search of birds. We recorded 25 different species of birds and 367 individual birds. Some notable birds include an Eastern screech owl, pilleated woodpecker, Cooper’s hawk and red-tailed hawk. Afterwards everyone enjoyed pizza for lunch and a quick presentation of the findings of each group. You can view the bird data collected here.

Thank you to everyone that participated, especially for our volunteer guides Brian Engler, Daniel Mlodozeniec, Brittany Rowan, photographer Paul Bigelow, and DEC Biologists David Malinowski, Jacquie Walters, and Ann Wilcox-Swanson.

More than 500 visitors joined in the fun at Get Outdoors! Community Day, part of the statewide Outdoors Day events.  Visitors enjoyed learning a variety of skills in outdoor activities such as geocaching, birding, archery, camping, kayaking, and more. DEC Forest Ranger Tim Kennedy gave a backpacking and fire safety demonstration at the event. The Polish Villa2 and Yogurt Shack food trucks were also a big hit! Special thanks go to the  youth & recreation departments of the Towns of Cheektowaga and Amherst for supporting this event. Thank you to all that volunteered and participated at this year’s event.