On Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 9 a.m., Simon Thompson, local ornithologist and international bird guide, will lead a leisurely walk on the FENCE property. This guided walk is free and open to the public. FENCE welcomes everyone from first time birders to advanced birders to join Simon for his walk. Please meet at the FENCE center and remember to dress warmly for this winter walk.

Winter is often a great time to view birds in the Foothills. The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, with its 384 acres of land and about five miles of trails, features open grassy areas, meadows, streams, ponds, and forested areas making it a wonderful place to enjoy a good selection of wintering bird species.

Red-tailed Hawks often hang above nearby woodlands waiting for a meal, while flocks of wintering sparrows feed near brushy edges. Of the Sparrows, the most common are Song, Field, and White-throated Sparrows but it is possible to view White-crowned and Savannah.

During this winter bird walk it is likely that we will see many of the Southeastern Woodpeckers.

We hope you can join us for the first of FENCE’s seasonal bird hikes.

This event is made possible by the Kirby Endowment at the Polk County Community Foundation. FENCE is located at 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon. For more information about this or upcoming events visit www.fence.org or call 828-859-9021.

– submitted by Amy Schmitte