New bird club for kids meets at Patapsco State Park

Calling all bird lovers age 8 and older. Grab some binoculars, and set your sights on the feathery creatures in their habitats at Patapsco Valley State Park.

The Bird Club for Kids — a new educational hands-on activity for the younger crowd — began this past October.

Clare Walker, a naturalist at the park, shared, “I wanted to start the bird club because birding is an ‘aging’ activity ... the Baltimore Bird Club and MOS (Maryland Ornithological Society) are worried about getting young people interested with all the competing attractions of computers, sports, etc.”

On the first Saturday of each month, children gather in different parts of the park to explore various bird habitats in order to learn about the species of birds that visit the park and also those birds that are year-round residents.

There are more than 400 species of birds in the state of Maryland. So the state bird — the Baltimore oriole — is in good company with other fine feathered friends.

Children are encouraged to bring binoculars and a guide book (otherwise may be borrowed at the park). It’s recommended children wear appropriate clothing depending on the weather. No need for a reservation; just show up. The club meets from 9-10 a.m. Cost is $2 per child.

Details are at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/patapsco.asp.