A local conservation group, Audubon Miami Valley, will host a Spring Warbler Walk this Sunday. The birdwatching walk will be held about five miles west of Brookville Lake, according to the field trip leader, Jim Michael.
Audubon Miami Valley, a chapter of the National Audubon Society founded in 1976, is a conservation group that teaches communities proper habits to restore biological diversity.
The field trips give the community an opportunity to experience the beauty of nature and see what's going on in the spring, according to Michael.
"The land is very hilly, wooded, with old-growth, great forest area and open pastures," Michael said. "We'll have the chance to walk around the property for a better part of the morning. This time of year we're hoping to get a lot of song-birds. Everyone tries to bring a sack lunch along for a picnic and it's a great time."
The walk has traditionally taken place at the property of local nature enthusiasts Kathy Hunter and Ron Huffmeier.
This event is open to the public and the group will depart 7 a.m. Sunday from Walmart's parking lot, 5720 College Corner Pike and return in the afternoon after lunch.
"We have monthly meetings in Oxford, but draw in people from a variety of places," Michael said. "Each month we plan a field trip where we can see plants and birds and explore the local geography and geology."
Miami University botany professor, Jim Hickey, described some of the wildlife that will be encountered on their trip.
"When you get out of Oxford, it may [be a] bit cooler and a little bit early for a lot of spring wild flowers to be out," Hickey said. "Buds are just starting to break. The area is all secondary growth with great habitats for birds, turkey, eagles, ospreys and hawks. It is a great flyway for ducks and geese. Brookville Lake is a great area and people will really enjoy it if they decide to go."
First-year aspiring botanist, Alec Zaphiris, expressed his excitement about the opportunities Audubon Miami Valley provides for the community.
"Conservations such as Audubon are doing a great service for our community by organizing these hands-on educational field-trips," Zaphiris said. "It's so important that people are aware of what they can be doing to protect their local ecosystems, so that future generations can experience them the same way we are able to now."
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