Birding

Each June, birdwatchers flock to the annual Adirondack Birding Festival in Hamilton County, N.Y. The festival features outings with New York state licensed Adirondack guides, canoe trips, hiking excursions and lectures throughout Hamilton County.

Workshops and exhibits on photography, birds of prey, loons, the Mountain Birdwatch Program, and Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of New York state will provide participants with background about the region and the local species. There will also be seminars about owl rehabilitation and rescue along with an opportunity to track moose in hopes of obtaining some great photos; and nighttime brings owl and coyote calling trips.

The county is also home to four IBAs as designated by Audubon New York including: Moose River Plains; The William C. Whitney Wilderness; Adirondack High Peaks; and the Adirondack Loon Complex.

Visit www.AdirondackBirds.com for additional information. Franklin County The annual Great Adirondack Birding Celebration and event takes place at the Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center in Paul Smith's.

For more information, contact Andy Flynn or Lydia Write at (518) 327-3000

The Lake Champlain region in the eastern Adirondacks is home to one of the six best areas for birding, according to Audubon Magazine. A collaborative Web site on birding and designated sites throughout the Adirondack region is available at: www.AdkBirds.com.