N.C. Birding Trail Celebrates Opening of Piedmont Region

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 15, 2008)– Bird watchers, enthusiasts and researchers alike gathered Thursday to celebrate the opening of the Piedmont region of the North Carolina Birding Trail.

Once the driving trail is complete, it will link birding sites from the coast to the mountains across the state. Thursday’s celebration in Durant Nature Park marked the completion of the Piedmont region, between Interstates 95 and 77. The coastal region was completed last year, and the mountain region is slated for next year.

“This is an endeavour we are very proud to be a part of,” said Fred Harris, interim executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “It is important in the larger context of promoting wildlife conservation in our state. One of the greater challenges we face is how do we get people out to where the pavement ends – and beyond – and interacting with wildlife in an increasingly urbanized society. This does that.”

North Carolina has long been known for its remarkable birding opportunities. The Birding Trail sites are composed of federal, state, local government and private lands. They offer chances to see some of North Carolina’s birds such as the Bluebird, Cardinal and Yellow-rumped warbler.

“About six years ago, the birding trail started out as a dream,” said Chris Canfield, executive director of Audobon North Carolina. “The birding trail model was something we knew was right for North Carolina, and the Piedmont is a wonderful place for birding. It’s a particularly important place for the trail simply because this is the place where the most people are.”

The Commission, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C. Sea Grant, Audubon NC and N.C. State Parks, is working cooperatively to develop the Trail.

Thursday’s event also promoted the guide book that accompanies the new portion of the trail and its 103 birding sites. It’s the second of what will be a series of three guides about the trail.

For a list of approved sites, to order the book, or for more information about the trail, visit www.ncbirdingtrail.org.