NEWS: Missouri state parks around Kansas City offer several birding activities

Contact: Tisha Holden, 573-751-6510 tisha.holden@dnr.mo.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Missouri state parks around Kansas City offer several birding activities JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 31, 2024 – Like birds? Now is the time to check out some and join in the winter bird count! Thursday, Feb. 8: Winter Birding 101 at Mid-Continent Library System Join Annie, the park specialist, as she presents this lecture at 6:30 p.m. at the Mid-Continent Library System. She’ll discuss winter birds in the area, backyard bird keeping, winter migrants and tips for identifying some of the trickier species of birds. The free event will take place at the Smithville Library, located at 120 Richardson St. in Smithville. For more information, call 816-640-5443 or 816-532-0116. Thursday, Feb.15: Toddler Storytime in the Park at Knob Noster State Park Toddler Storytime in the Park starts at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged children. They will hear nature stories, sing songs and make crafts. The theme for this program is night. The event will take place at the park’s visitor center and if it is canceled due to inclement weather, it will be moved to Feb. 22. For more information, call 660-563-2463. Knob Noster State Park is located at 873 SE 10 in Knob Noster. Saturday, Feb. 17: Great Backyard Bird Count: Guided Bird Walk at Lewis and Clark State Park It’s time for the Great Backyard Bird Count! Become a citizen scientist by collecting data with the park team during this guided bird walk on Gosling Lake Trail. Along the way, participants will count and record all the birds they see. Gosling Lake Trail has a flat gravel surface and is considered easy. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring binoculars if they have them. Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. The program is free and open to the public and will be canceled in the event of rain, snow or ice. For more information, call 816-640-5443. Lewis and Clark State Park is located at 801 Lake Crest Blvd. in Rushville. Sunday, Feb. 18: Great Backyard Bird Count: Guided Bird Walk at Weston Bend State Park Join park team members as they collect data on the birds they see, meeting at Beverly parking lot at 10 a.m. To get to the Beverly parking lot from the park’s main entrance, go west for 1 mile and then take the second right. Participants will follow Weston Bluffs Trail, which has a flat gravel surface and is considered easy. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring binoculars if they have them. The program is free and open to the public and will be canceled in the event of rain, snow or ice. Weston Bend State Park is located at 16600 Highway 45 N. in Weston. For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.