Shared by Krista Weatherford, Education Support Specialist, as Guest Blogger.

What does counting birds and climbing trees have in common? Come out to Pocahontas State Park February 15-18, 2013 to find out!

Pocahontas State Park is partnering with Riverside Outfitters to give birdwatchers a "bird's-eye view" of the park. Pocahontas State Park is the largest park in the Virginia State Park system with approximately 8,000 acres of mostly forest habitat making it great for wildlife. There are more than 130 documented species on the park’s natural resources species list. Year-round residents make up approximately 40 percent of the list. This includes common species like crows, cardinals, blue jays, house sparrows and robins, but it also includes bald eagles, killdeer, 5 species of woodpeckers, belted kingfishers and more. Winter is a good time to see our year-round residents as the bare branches reveal their perches. The park will have multiple activities in connection with the Great Backyard Bird Count February 15-18, 2013.

Birdwatchers enjoy viewing the birds from on a floating dock at Beaver Lake

What is the Great Backyard Bird Count?

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual 4-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. Everyone is welcome--from beginning bird watchers to experts. Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period. They enter these numbers on the Cornell University sponsored GBBC website. For more information, click here.

A Green Heron enjoys his "bird's-eye view" of Beaver Lake from his spot on the floating dock

Recreational Tree Climbing Adventures, too

Riverside Outfitters will also be participating in our GBBC activities by providing a tree climb to get a “bird's-eye view” of the park. Climbing in the trees gives a whole new perspective of the world. This activity is safe as safety ropes, helmets, harnesses and an experienced belayer are all employed to make your climbing adventure one you will remember. For information on the climbing activity, click here.

You'll experience a "bird's-eye view" of the park during the Tree Climbing Adventure

Bird Pun Story Contest

To get everyone in the bird count spirit, Pocahontas State Park is also having a creative writing contest. Anyone is welcome to enter. The instructions are to write an original, clean, light hearted/humorous story (fiction or non-fiction) using as many bird related puns as you can. Submissions can be 1-2 pages in length and are due by Monday, April 1, 2013.

Prizes will be awarded including: 1^st Prize a voucher for a free tree climb with Riverside Outfitters at Pocahontas State Park, 2^nd Prize a $15 gift certificate for the park gift shop, or 3^rd Prize a one-day pool pass (valid Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend 2013). Submissions should include the submitter's name, contact information, and age (if under 18 years old). Submissions can be submiTted to Krista Weatherford, Education Support Specialist, by email.

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FOWL PLAY!

The Great Backyard Bird Count events at Pocahontas State Park are:

Friday, 2/15 Self-guided counts

Saturday, 2/16  9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Bird talk and guided walk/count; Meet at Nature Center

Saturday, 2/16  1-3 p.m.: Bird's Eye View, Recreational Tree Climb with Riverside Outfitters

Participants will use safety gear, ropes and harnesses to explore the tree canopy! Meet at the front field 15 minutes before the program start time. Children ages 5 and up are welcome. 12 person limit. Please call the park at 804-796-4255 to register or click here for more pictures of tree climbing adventures.

Sunday, 2/17 Self-guided counts

Monday, 2/18 10 a.m. to noon: Birding Bonanza (geared for kids out of school for President's Day) guided walk/count and birdfeeder craft. Meet at the Nature Center. Kids of all ages welcome!

For more information, contact Krista by email or by calling 804-796-4255.

Pocahontas State Park is located in the heart of Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It's easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, half an hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two hours; Roanoke, three hours.