SUNDAY AFTERNOON NATURE WALK
Guilford County Farm
MARCH 12th, 2:00 pm
After two rainouts in January and February we hope to have good weather in March. As described below, the County Farm is a special place, for birding, walking and just enjoying the outdoors. You can drive yourself---see the address below or carpool from Friendly Center in the Whole Foods parking lot, close to Friendly Ave.
If carpooling, arrive at Friendly Center no later than 1:00 pm for a 1:15 pm departure. Remember to bring your binoculars and some water if you wish. The walking paths are level and wide, so families are encouraged to join us. Our walk should be over by 4:30 or earlier.
The Guilford County Farm in northeastern Guilford County dates back to the 1930’s when it was opened as the Guilford County Prison Farm for low-risk offenders. It closed in 2015 and eventually became a managed area of 720 acres operated by the Guilford County Facilities and Parks Department. Today, 600 acres are leased to local farmers growing crops and raising cattle and 120 acres are maintained by the county as hiking trails, greenhouses, vineyards, fishing ponds, and other natural areas.
It is an excellent place to find many species of wintering birds as well as our permanent resident songbirds, woodpeckers, and others. Habitats include open fields, a good-sized pond, roadsides, and woodlands. According to eBird, a total of 201 species of birds has been recorded in this area over the past few years.
Some of the birds we hope to see include Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, other raptors, bluebirds, half a dozen sparrow species, and many others. A rare Say’s Phoebe has been reported this winter and has been seen recently.
Location: 7315 Howerton Road, Elon, NC 27244. Meet at the trail map kiosk in the parking area.
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Duration: about 2.5 hours
Contact Jack Jezorek (suejackj@bellsouth.net), the trip coordinator, for questions or updates in case of winter weather.
Photo of Say’s Phoebe that has been spotted at the farm by Heather Russell