2nd Annual Uwharrie Naturalist Weekend

2nd Annual Uwharrie Naturalist Weekend

The LandTrust for Central North Carolina and staff from the North Carolina Museum of Sciences are hosting our 2nd annual Uwharrie Naturalist Weekend on May 10 and 11, 2014 – a weekend of nature exploration in the Uwharries. Last year more than 50 folks came out for the event and over the course of the weekend we spotted more than 20 bird species, at least 14 species of wildflowers in bloom, and 6 amphibian and reptile species, including one large timber rattlesnake!

This naturalist weekend is the only one of its kind in the area and showcases the 1,300-acre Low Water Bridge Preserve on the Uwharrie River. The focus of this event is breeding birds, and John Gerwin, ornithologist at the N.C. Museum of Sciences in Raleigh, along with museum and LandTrust staff, will be leading hikes in the morning and afternoon – pointing out unique bird species by sight and sound along the way. This is the prime of birding season for neotropical migrants, so participants will see birds like red-eyed vireos, ovenbirds, summer and scarlet tanagers, prothonotary warblers, and more.

The mature hardwood forest found on this property is important habitat for a variety of forest interior dwelling bird species who migrate here to breed from Central and South America. Last year we had a unique opportunity to watch a Louisiana waterthrush carry food to her nest, which we then found nestled in the riverbank on a pristine headwater stream found on the property. John will talk about his research banding and tracking these birds in the Uwharries and Central America, and he will also be mist-netting some birds for folks to see and hold, weather permitting.

At the event there will be morning and afternoon hikes each day, starting at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hikes will also feature discussions on native plants and any reptiles, amphibians or other species found along the way. There will be an option to camp on Saturday night and a late evening hike as well, listening for owls and nightjars. The event can be enjoyed for one or both days, as hikes will take place on different trails. The event also includes a canoe trip on Saturday afternoon, open to anyone who brings a canoe or kayak. After all the rain and snow we’ve had this winter, the river should be at optimal conditions for kayaking.

New this year, the Sunday afternoon hike will also feature some of the history of this site. This afternoon hike will take attendees by a historic graveyard from the 1700s, with interesting features including a unique dry-stacked rock wall. The hike will continue down to the banks of the river where an old pumping station remains, which is believed to be a remnant of the historic gold mining heritage of the site.

The event is free but you must sign up. To RSVP please call or email Crystal at 336-633-0143 or crystal@landtrustcnc.org.

Check out this recap and picture gallery from our amazing adventures at last year’s Uwharrie Naturalist weekend: http://ui.uncc.edu/story/naturalist-weekend-uwharries-birds-herps-flowers