April Is for the Birds

Betty Slade, David Cole, Steve Reinert, Jamie Bogart on birding history.

April 4, 2024 at 6.30 PM

The Manton room at the Westport Free Public Library. 408 Old County Rd. Westport

Birds and Birders across the South Coast Region are invited to participate in celebrations of the
very special birding opportunities that are available in our area. A combination of bird art and
talks about the history and recent successes of bird life will lift our hearts to welcome a new
wave of annual migrants coming to spend the summer with us or just passing through to their
preferred breeding areas on up north.

The Osprey will have arrived, fixed up and settled into their nests on platforms built up over the
years across our beautiful ponds and estuaries by hundreds of volunteers. The Piping Plovers
will be scurrying around the upper beach areas looking for good nesting sites, and spotters will
be putting up protective striped bands to indicate their presence. Many species of songbirds
will have announced their arrival, proclaimed their territories and some even helped their
female partners prepare new nests.

April really is a great time to celebrate birds
Here is how we propose to do just that:
What?
 A month-long display of bird art by two outstanding avian artists: Barry Van Dusen and
Pamela Lowell.
 Four evenings of presentations on birds and birding history in this area:
o Local birding records from 130 years to the present day.
o Wonderful local success stories of Osprey, Bobolink and Shore Birds.
o A widely recognized artist celebrates all the Mass Audubon Sanctuaries.
o Another artist shares her visions and emotions when in the presence of Osprey.

Where and When?
 The Manton room at the Westport Free Public Library. 408 Old County Rd. Westport.
 Display of bird art: All of April during regular Library hours.
 Evening presentations: Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18 and 25; 6:30 -7:30 PM.
Who?
 April 4: Betty Slade, David Cole, Steve Reinert, Jamie Bogart on birding history.
 April 11: Alan Poole, Fred Thurber, Gina Purtell on birding success stories.
 April 18: Barry Van Dusen – author of Finding Sanctuary.
 April 25: Pamela Lowell – author of My Summer with Ospreys.