Learn to identify birds of winter with local land conservancy event

The Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is hosting an online event, ‘Identifying Birds of Winter’, which will offer tips on bird identification with a focus is on species that are in the region over the winter months.

“With bird-watching growing in popularity, we wanted to give people the opportunity to refine their bird identification skills,” explained Mary Alice Snetsinger of the local land trust.

The online event takes place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. According to a release from the Land Conservancy, participants are invited to submit bird photos they have taken in the region in advance of the event.

Identifying Birds of Winter will begin with a presentation by Dale Kristensen, a local naturalist who recently retired from Queen’s University.

“Some bird species are easier to tell apart, sometimes you have to look at more details such as the colouring around the eyes, the shape of the tail, the spread of the wings in flight. I learn something every time I bird watch and look forward to sharing some of my identification strategies,” Kristensen said.

After the presentation, individuals who submitted one or two photographs taken of a bird in the area this winter season will have the opportunity to share their photos and their story, according to the release.

“The photo-sharing portion of our online events are informative and entertaining,” Snetsinger noted. “It is interesting to see the photographs people take and discuss the birds they have seen.”

The online event is free of charge. In a random draw, two participants will each receive a $50 gift card from Urban Nature Store, the land trust shared.

“We’re grateful to have the Urban Nature Store, which remains open for curbside pick-up, as the sponsor for this event,” added Snetsinger.

Learn more about the event on the Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington website. Registration is online through Eventbrite.