Sit with the Birds: An accessible birding event at the Waterman Center.

Are you interested in birds, but maybe a walk in the woods isn’t quite your style? Join Naturalist Michelle Knuepfer for an afternoon stationary birding event at the Waterman Center! This is a beginner-friendly birding event that is intentionally designed to be accessible to people with a variety of disabilities. No previous knowledge of birds is required; just bring your excitement to observe & learn about birds!

This program will take place between the parking lot and the field in front of the building. We will be observing birds around the field and parking lot, as well as birding by ear for birds that may be hanging out in the surrounding woods or down the hill. Some common species include: Gray Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, House Wren, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow, and American Robin, as well as a variety of warblers & sparrows in the surrounding fields. 

While this event is scheduled to run from 1 pm until 3 pm, participants are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they wish. We will be compiling an eBird list for the entire duration. There will be a spotting scope available for participants who wish to get a particularly close-up view of any birds. Field guides will be available through the Waterman Center library. Five sets of loaner binoculars are available for participants, with a quick tutorial provided for anyone new to using binoculars.

This program is free for participants, with a suggested donation of $5 to support the Waterman Center. All ages are welcome. 

Registration is required, and can be done here: [ watermancenter.org - specific registration link will be set up closer to the date of the event ]. Attendance will be capped at 20 participants. 

Feel free to contact Michelle at programs@watermancenter.org or call the Waterman Center at (607) 625-2221 with any questions! In the event of adverse weather, registered participants will be notified by 3pm on Friday, the day before the event. 

Facilities Notes:

• There are 2 accessible all-gender bathrooms available inside the building, which will be open during the program. 

• Parking lot is paved & directly adjacent to the meeting area, with one section of sod cells (a type of permeable pavement made of a hard plastic grid filled in by dirt & grass). It includes 2 dedicated accessible parking spots, both of which are van accessible.  

• Shade is available inside the building or at the green roof pavilion with a concrete base near the accessible parking spots. There is a larger pavilion near the field where the event is taking place that has picnic tables and a gravel floor. 

• Surfaces: 35 foot concrete path from parking area to building front door, 24 foot grass path from end of parking area to wooden bleachers.

What to Bring: 

• Sunscreen, water (bottled water may be available during the event)

• Lawn chair or picnic blanket (if preferred to wooden bleachers)

• Binoculars, if you have them (not required - just let us know if you need a loaner pair)