Migratory Bird Day at Bell's Bend Park

With the cicada emergence in full swing, you may have noticed a reduction in activity at your bird feeders.  Despite this slowdown, we are staying busy here at the Wood Thrush Shop with weekly specials on items ranging from birdhouses to wind chimes, with many things in between!

This weekend, specials include 25% off ATZ Classic Bluebird boxes, 20% off ALL Heartwood boxes, and 20% off Corinthian Bells wind chimes! Other items are on sale as well, and with Father’s Day around the corner, now is the time to get that gift for Dad!

In other news, Bell’s Bend Park will be celebrating Migratory Bird Day this Saturday with activities ranging from a sunrise hike to talks from guest speakers. The fun will begin at 5:30 in the morning with the sunrise hike hosted by Lise Brown, and go till 4 PM with guest speakers including Chris Sloan, Cyndi Rutledge and Debbie Sykes. Admission is free for all events!

Wood Thrush Notes

Fall Migration is underway and while your seed birdfeeders will typically be a little slower now through October birdwatching in the area will be significantly more interesting. On your morning walks have your binoculars with you and ready because Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, Grosbeaks, and Flycatchers are pouring through middle Tennessee on their return to Central and South America stopping to feed in the mornings on insects.

Tennessee Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Mornings are the best time to see lots of different species because many of these migrants travel at night. They settle down to rest and feed in the morning. And mornings after a storm tend to be even better. Make time to visit one of the many great local birdwatching areas this fall to see some birds you may not have seen before. The usual local hot spots include:

• Radnor Lake

• Warner Parks

• Bells Bend

• Harpeth River Greenway

• Shelby Bottoms

• Hidden Lakes State Park

• Gossett Tract State Park

• Bowie Nature Park

• Montgomery Bell State Park

The Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is once again offering the first of 4 fall migration birdwatching walks at Radnor Lake beginning Wed. Sept. 22. If you have considered making birdwatching a new activity and don’t know where to start this would be a great opportunity for you to learn from some very experienced birders. For more information about the Nashville Chapter of TOS please visit their website, www.nashvillebirds.org