Rusty blackbird The Old–Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center at Congaree National Park and the Friends of Congaree Swamp will host three separate birding programs in February. These programs are aimed at engaging visitors—including first time beginners—in observing, identifying, and counting winter birds at the park. Visitors will have the opportunity to assist as “citizen scientists” with collecting real scientific data.

Saturday, February 5, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Birding Basics Workshop. Group leaders will give a presentation on common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on the boardwalk and Sims trail to practice identification skills – and hopefully spot some rusty blackbirds.

Saturday, February 12, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Birding Basics Workshop. Group leaders will give a presentation on common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on the boardwalk and Sims trail to practice identification skills and hopefully spot some rusty blackbirds.

Saturday, February 19, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Great Backyard Bird Count Program. Group leaders will give a presentation on the common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on the boardwalk to identify and count birds as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

No prior experience is required to participate in any of these free programs, which are open to all visitors ages five and up. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register in advance by calling the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at 776-4396, ext. 0, or stop by the front desk. The group size for each program is limited to 30 participants.

Participants should plan to meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center 15 minutes prior to the start of each program. Participants should wear comfortable, closed– toed shoes and weather– appropriate clothing. A water bottle and snack are also recommended. Visitors and volunteers are encouraged to bring binoculars. The park has a limited number of binoculars available for use (for free) during the programs.

These can be reserved ahead of time, and extras will be made available on a first–come, first–served basis during the program.

The information generated as part of these three February bird programs will be combined with other data from similar programs all over the country to help scientists monitor birds and focus conservation efforts. The data from Congaree National Park will be submitted to two separate programs.

The third annual Rusty Blackbird Blitz, which is coordinated through the National Zoo is a relatively new program. Rusty blackbird populations have dropped more than 90 percent since the mid–1960s, and scientists are trying to understand why. Last year, 11,736 rusty black birds sightings were reported from across the Southeast, and this year we hope to add some sightings at Congaree National Park to the total. This year’s count is focused on documenting rusty blackbird sightings between January 29 and February 13.

For more information, please contact Dr. David Shelley at 647-3966 or david_ shelley@ nps.gov or visit the Congaree National Park website at www.nps.gov/cong.