Clarkdale AZ (July 18, 2016) – Birds are some of the most conspicuous migratory animals in nature. For many people, the word “migration” immediately conjures the image of geese flying in a “V” formation through the sky. Yet this one example can’t encapsulate the magnitude, beauty and diversity of bird migrations. Individual species differ drastically in many aspects of migration including how far they travel, which route they choose, and their general migration strategy. Bird migration evolved as a way for birds to exploit resources that are seasonally abundant and to go elsewhere when the resources become scarce or when harsh weather arrives.
Here in the Verde Valley we are privileged to be able to experience the diversity of migratory birds. The Verde Valley is the main flyway for many birds to make their spring and fall passages while traveling between their more northerly homes in the summer and their southern homes in the winter.
Dena Greenwood, local teacher and bird expert, presents a lecture on the migration of the Verde Valley birds. This is a way to truly understand an extraordinary event that happens right under our noses. Topics include why birds migrate here, what species you can expect to see and when. As manager of Jay’s Bird Barn in Sedona for the past three years, Dena has connected customers and other visitors to the natural environment. She guides, she teaches, she coordinates.
The ever-changing and dynamic world of birds in the Verde Valley is the center of her daily life. Greenwood leads bird walks every day and teaches visitors what the birds mean to the Verde Valley. She has been involved with nature since she was a child. Dena received her Master’s Degree in Environmental Biology with an emphasis in Ornithology, Botany, and Geology. She has been an Arizona State Parks ranger, where she started leading bird walks. She has also been involved with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. She leads field trips for the Northern Arizona Audubon Society and is a guest field trip leader for the Sedona Westerners Hiking group.
The lecture is given in August, attendees are surprised to find that the fall migration is already underway. We humans are still feeling the summertime heat and participating in outdoor activities. Learning which birds are leaving, for where and why, will give you a different perspective on nature and her cycles.
The Verde Valley Nature Organization (VRVNO) is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide nature-based recreation, education and tourism opportunities that promote stewardship of the Verde River Valley. Some of the educational opportunities that VRVNO offers are: Safe River Recreation – on river, Birding 101 Intro to Birding, Interpretive Guiding and Communications for folks in the Geo-Tourism and related business, Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Volunteers are welcome. VRVNO can be reached at VRVNO.org and VRVNO.Info@gmail.com.