Department of Parks
Annual Bird Count Planned At Natural Bridge Dec. 13-14

SLADE, Ky. – You can help conduct a bird census during Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s annual Winter Bird Weekend on Dec. 13-14.

The park will hold various nature programs about birds on Saturday, Dec. 13, including building a bluebird box, a hike to see birds and a night hike to listen for owls. On Sunday, the actual bird count will be held at 9 a.m. as part of Audubon’s 108^th Christmas Bird Count.

The data collected throughout the day will help naturalists gain a better understanding of the numbers and species of birds that call Natural Bridge home in the winter.

Dress for the weather and bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. You can also help count by watching bird feeders from the park’s dining room.  For more information, contact Park Naturalist Brian Gasdorf at Brian.Gasdorf@ky.gov or (606) 663-2214 x2104. The event is free; a fee is charged for the birdhouse class.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park has a lodge, restaurant, cottages, and hiking trails. The resort 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 53 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. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov