Mary Bomberger Brown, research assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources and coordinator of the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership, will lead a spring bird walk at 6 a.m., May 17 at Prairie Pines. Bird walk attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars, water and sturdy walking shoes. The event is free and open to the public.

Bomberger Brown will guide attendees through the walk as they identify birds and their songs.

“A bird walk is simply a walk in the woods, in the prairie or a walk along the shore looking for birds and other natural things,” Bomberger Brown said. “The activity takes on the personality of the group – if there are good botanists with us, then we’ll look more at plants; if there are good birders with us, then we’ll look more at birds; if there are good entomologists with us, then we’ll look more at butterflies and bugs.”

The walk will wind through one of Nebraska’s statewide arboretums, pass an active organic training farm, visit a native prairie and cross fields visited by wildlife.

Attendees can expect to see a combination of birds that include the mid-late migrants and resident breeders common in eastern Nebraska.