Explore nature: Uwharrie Naturalist Weekend May 4-5

The LandTrust for Central North Carolina and staff from the North Carolina Museum of Sciences are hosting the Uwharrie Naturalist Weekend on May 4 and 5 – a weekend of nature exploration in the Uwharries. The focus of this inaugural event will be breeding birds. This naturalist weekend is the first of its kind in the area and will showcase the 1,300-acre Low Water Bridge Preserve on the Uwharrie River.

John Gerwin, ornithologist at the N.C. Museum of Sciences in Raleigh, along with museum and LandTrust staff, will be leading hikes in the morning and afternoon through the Low Water Bridge Preserve – pointing out unique bird species by sight and sound along the way. This is the prime of birding season for neotropical migrants, so participants could see birds like red-eyed vireos, Louisiana waterthrush, ovenbirds, summer tanagers, prothonotary warblers, and more. John will also be mist-netting some birds for folks to see and hold.

The mature hardwood forest found on this property is important habitat for a variety of forest interior dwelling bird species who migrate here to breed from Central and South America. These include such species as tanagers, vireos and warblers that require large areas of forest to breed successfully and sustain viable populations. Many of these species are experiencing large declines due to loss of habitat. Some species, such as wood thrush, have lost significant numbers in recent years. Forest losses and its fragmentation into smaller and smaller, isolated patches are thought to be playing a significant role in these population declines. So, protecting larger-scale, intact forests such as the Low Water Bridge preserve is important for the future of these species.

At the event there will be morning and afternoon hikes each day, starting at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hikes will also feature discussions on native plants and any reptiles, amphibians or other species found along the way. There will be an option to camp on Saturday night and a late evening hike as well, listening for owls and nightjars. The event can be enjoyed for one or both days, as hikes will take place on different trails.

The event also includes a canoe trip on Saturday afternoon, open to anyone who brings a canoe or kayak (very limited spots are available to those without a personal canoe or kayak). Click on the link to find out more about recent improvements to the Low Water Bridge recreation area.

The event is free but you must sign up. To RSVP please call or email Crystal at 336-633-0143 or crystal@landtrustcnc.org.