Spring is in full swing here in NEPA. For experienced and even novice birders, that means only one thing. It’s time to grab those binoculars and get outside for the return of our beloved feathered friends.      

Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate through the northern hemisphere. And NEPA just happens to be the perfect stop for nesting and gathering food. Our warmer spring temperatures, fresh insect hatches and plenty of space lure thousands of birds to the region. And it’s precisely why we jumped at the chance to join the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center for their “Mystery Birding Trip” in Monroe County.  

The “mystery” was twofold on this particular trip. One — not knowing what birds we’d see. And two — our guide and Education Coordinator, Roger Spotts, was the only one who knew where we were going.  

 We spent a full day driving to different open space properties throughout the county. And it didn’t take long for us to see our first migratory bird, the northern flicker. Along the trip, we got a beginner’s course in identifying birds by their calls. We were also lucky the late spring/early summer foliage hadn’t entirely blocked our view. This offered plenty more opportunities for snapping photos.     

In total, we made 5 stops and saw roughly 35 different species of birds. Along the way, we also spotted vibrant spring flowers, insects and the occasional frog. And, of course, we brought the camera along so you could check it out. 

If you’d like to join Kettle Creek on their next birding adventure, visit them online. And don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter to get updates on their full list of programs.