Department of Fish and Wildlife
Celebrate The 14th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count At The Salato Wildlife Education Center

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Enthusiastic bird watchers can participate in the 14th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.

    The Salato Center, operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, promotes wildlife conservation education through displays, programs, workshops and outdoor wildlife viewing opportunities. The center is currently closed, but it will reopen for the season Feb. 15.

    The center’s staff will provide all necessary materials for participants to count the number of each species of birds they observe around the grounds. This is a fun event for birdwatchers of all ages. Volunteers from the Frankfort Audubon Chapter and the Salato Center will be on hand to help beginning bird watchers. The recorded numbers are added to a national snapshot of bird populations and their locations. The Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology sponsor the Great Backyard Bird Count.

    For those who enjoy the February chill, take a guided birding hike on the Salato Habitrek Trail at 1 p.m. Also, activities are available for the little bird watchers. Support manmade habitats from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. by building an Eastern bluebird box. All birdhouses are $10 and participants can take home their new bird box.

    The Salato Center has a variety of native animals for the public to see, including a black bear, an eagle, bobcats, elk, deer, bison, snakes and fish. The center has numerous indoor exhibits and miles of hiking trails open to the public. Fishing is available at two lakes. While some programs may require a registration fee, general admission to the Salato Center is free.

    For more information, call 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4445. Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center is located on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife campus, #1 Sportsman’s Lane (formerly #1 Game Farm Road), off U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation beginning Feb. 15 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.