On Saturday, May 27, 11 people participated in the last free guided bird walk at Hills Creek State Park at 111 Spillway Road, about seven miles northeast of Wellsboro.

“Two new people came on the walk. They were staying at Cedar Run for the weekend,” said Sean Minnick. He and Ken Cooper, both members of the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, the local birding group, led the walk.

“It was a sunny day and the park was full of campers. We saw 39 different bird species. The biggest surprise for us was seeing a ruddy turnstone. They are usually found along the east or west coast,” Minnick said. Their breeding grounds are the artic tundra.

“We have seen one or more ruddy turnstones in this area once every four to five years probably due to migration fallout caused by severe weather. In high winds, migrating birds become exhausted and are forced to land and rest. At first, we weren’t sure what type of bird it was until a member of our group with a powerful lens on his camera focused on its orange legs.”

For updates on birds in the area or helpful tips, email tasmember@yahoo.com or visit tiadaghtonaudubon.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/TiadaghtonAudubon/. 

For information about Hills Creek State Park, call the park office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 570-724-4246.