Esma Orgeron
July 2, 2007
NSU business college dean elected to state CPA board
July 4, 2007This month, two big birding events are happening, the annual Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration and the Wood Stork Birding Event. Both offer the public a really good chance to see some really neat, native birds in the wild.
The Hummingbird Celebration takes place on Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28, in St. Francisville.
The celebration begins with a reception on Friday evening at the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, 12501 Hwy. 10.
Beginning at 6 p.m. visitors can enjoy wine and cheese while strolling through the Rosedown gardens. At 6:45 p.m. speakers David and Tracey Banowetz, the Feliciana Nature Society president, will present a program on gardening with native plants to attract birds and wildlife.
Admission to this part of the event is $10.
On Saturday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will capture and band birds at two private gardens. Visitors will have the chance to observe the hummingbirds up close, while the birds are weighed and measured.
Vendors will be at both homes with hummingbird plants, birding equipment, books and crafts for sale. And experts will be on hand to share advice about gardening, binoculars and more.
Banowetz explained why hummingbirds interest her.
“They’re so incredible small and yet, there’s so energetic and feisty and just generally fun to watch,” she said.
The hummingbird fan also explained how the trapping and banding process works.
The feeders are placed inside a cage with a trap door, which is released when the bird enters the cage to feed, trapping the bird. The bird is then removed from the cage and a place a tiny aluminum band is placed around one its leg to help research things like the breeding and migration patterns.
While no one can predict what nature will do, Banowetz said the society has had days where members captured and banded as many as 90 hummingbirds.
She also said it’s absolutely a great event for children.
“One of the things we do, once the measurements are fully taken, is we very gently hold the bird and put it up to a feeder so it can take a drink, sort of as its reward for having gone through all of this,” said Banowetz. “And generally, we’ll give it to the children to release. We’ll let it sit in their hand before it flies away. Kids just get a big thrill out of that.”
Hummingbirds may have sharp little beaks, but they don’t sting or bite.
Binoculars and cold water are recommended items to bring along and maybe some insect repellant. Cameras are also fine, too.
There is no rain out day, but hummingbirds tend to be more active on rainy days (not during a down pour!), seeking the nectar released from wet flowers.
The gardens open on Saturday include the home of Carlisle Rogillio at 15736 Tunica Trace (Hwy. 66) and Murrell Butler at 9485 Oak Hill Road in St. Francisville.
Also, later in the day, the Hollywood Plantation gardens at Glenn and Eleanor Thomas’ home on 9441 Sligo Road will open from 2 to 5 p.m., offering hummingbird observation and light refreshments.
A $5 fee will grant admission to all three gardens.
For more information, visit www.audubonbirdfest.com, or call 1-800-488-6502.
The Wood Stork Birding Event will be held July 21 from 7 a.m. to noon at the South Farm of the Sherburne WMA complex.
The main focus of the event is, of course, the wood stork. It’s the only stork native to North America, and stands two to four feet tall with a 66-inch wingspan.
As many as 1,000 have been seen in the area around this time of year.
“Their numbers are pretty low. Not many people really even know wood storks come into this area because they only come into certain areas like crawfish ponds and stuff,” said Federal Park Ranger Shanon Soileau. “A number of people, for the first time at this event, will see a wood stork.”
For the event, visitors will be able to bring their vehicles into a central parking area, saving some walking time.
Park rangers will be on hand and on ATVs to transport people who may have disabilities or problems with the summer heat.
Water will be provided on site in the form of coolers and cups. And spot scopes may also be provided to guests.
“Besides the wood stork, you’re also going to see dredge herrings, rosetta spoonbills and white ibis. You’re going to see all sorts of birds,” said Soileau.
To come onto a WMA area, one needs to have either a Louisiana Hunting or Fishing license or a Wild Louisiana Stamp. The stamp can be obtained at any licensed vendor.
The event is going to be manned by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
