Department of Parks
Winter Bird Blitz Set For February 4-5 at Natural Bridge

SLADE, Ky. – Natural Bridge State Resort Park is hosting a Winter Bird Blitz on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5. The Winter Bird Blitz features a day of birding activities on Friday followed by a bird count on Saturday morning and afternoon. Bird count data over time in any given area can provide valuable insights into the long-term health of bird populations and the environment... and besides, it’s fun and free!

Friday’s birding activities will be led by the park naturalists Brian Gasdorf and Tyler Morgan.  The day will begin in the Hemlock Lodge lobby for a birding basics program from 9:30-11:30 a.m. covering topics such as binoculars, field guides and bird identification characteristics.  From 1-2 p.m. visitors can join a bird watching motor tour looking for birds in different habitats at the park.  For $7, participants can build a cedar bird nest box from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the park’s nature center (supplies available on a first-come, first-serve basis.) In preparation for the bird count, a “Winter Birds of the Appalachian Woods” evening presentation will be held in the Hemlock Lodge lobby from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, bird count participants can join the park naturalists in the Hemlock Lodge lobby for a bird watching motor tour from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. counting birds at various 15 to 30 minute stops at Natural Bridge and the surrounding Red River Gorge area.  During the motor tour, every individual bird and bird species observed will be counted. Participants in the motor tour should bring their own lunch, drink and binoculars (a limited amount of binoculars will be available for a $5 fee during the guided motor tour.) Participants should also be sure to dress for the weather.

If interested in counting birds on your own on Saturday’s bird count, a map of possible birding locations, a bird checklist and other bird count information will be available at the front desk of the Hemlock Lodge.

For more information about the Winter Bird Blitz event, contact park naturalist Brian Gasdorf at 606 663-2214 or brian.gasdorf@ky.gov for more information.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, the Sandstone Arches Restaurant, gift shop and hiking trails. For more information or for room reservations, phone 1-800-325-1710. The resort near Slade is 52 miles southeast of Lexington off the Mountain Parkway on KY 11.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov