Shared by Monica Hoel- Guest Blogger for Hungry Mother, as Guest Blogger.

Last spring, like so many people during the pandemic, I started being more intentional about watching the birds in my backyard. The variety of species was surprising, and I started anticipating something amazing and new every time I looked out the window. Sometimes I would see a flutter of wings, and I would have a flutter of excitement, only to zoom in and realize it was “just a song sparrow.”

Over time, I came to fall in love with those sparrows. They throw their heads back and point their little beaks to the sky as they sing a complicated and beautiful song. Studies show that a female is often attracted to the male’s song and is proof that he is a good learner (allaboutbirds.org). And under closer inspection, we can see just how beautiful and unique their plumage is. Could I really keep saying, “just-a song sparrow?”

I found I was also using “just-a” for birds I saw at Hungry Mother State Park. Out in my kayak, I’d run across “just-a duck” without ever considering how many kinds of ducks were out there. Recently the rangers spotted an American Wigeon (there is nothing “just-a” about this beautiful duck), and some Common Mergansers (not to be confused with Hooded Mergansers -- get a load of these cool ducks!). Wigeons are only around during migration, and Common Mergansers don’t even usually hang out here: it’s a little like glimpsing a Yeti at the boat dock.

This spring, Hungry Mother is issuing a walking contest to get us out of our pandemic nests. The event is in honor of National Take a Walk in the Park Day on March 30, 2021. The challenge is to walk 30 miles in 30 days. It may sound like a lot, but really, it’s “just-a” mile a day.

The contest rules don’t require us to walk all 30 miles at Hungry Mother. But how exciting will it be to walk a mile (or thirty) while getting a little more familiar with some of the amazingly common and fantastically interesting birds you’re likely to see in and around Hungry Mother Lake? Screech Owls, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Cormorants, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawks, Baltimore Orioles -- not to mention the beautiful Song Sparrows -- all are awaiting “just-a” walk and “just-a” little of your attention.

After a while, I took “just-a” out of my reaction to song sparrows or any birds for that matter. We are surrounded by wonder and beauty -- and I am “just-a” lucky observer.

To learn more about the walking challenge, either stop by the Discovery Center or go to virginiastateparks.gov and find Hungry Mother State Parks Events. Open Take a Walk in the Park event and click on the link to download the walking challenge tracking sheet (PDF). The 30 miles in 30 days will begin on March 30 and run until April 28, and you must turn in sheets by May 2, 2021.

Walk at least one mile a day. You can walk more, but only mark one sneaker off per day. When completed, turn in your tracking sheet with your name, phone number, and address written on the back and receive a 20% discount off one item in the gift shop. Plus, you will be entered into a drawing for a Hungry Mother State Park basket filled with goodies. Come out and join us for some sunshine, warm weather, and socialization. Just remember to use social distance at all times.