Amy Shoop, Refuge staff, with program participant at Patuxent Research Refuge July 12th, 2008. Photo Courtesy of Nell Baldacchino/USFWS.

Michelle Donlan, Refuge staff, with program participants at Patuxent Research Refuge July 12th, 2008. Photo Courtesy of Nell Baldacchino/USFWS

The pale purple even

Melts around thy flight;

Like a star of heaven,

In the broad daylight

Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight -

"To a Skylark" by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

Patuxent Research Refuge staff and volunteers hosted Birding for the Blind on Saturday, July 12^th from 8:30AM - 11:30AM. This program was designed specifically for visually impaired people (VIPs), their families and friends. Participants were introduced to nature and birding through hands-on activities and exploration of outdoor habitats.  Participants learned how to identify birds by sound, an activity that can be done in any outdoor setting - such as a neighborhood park or an individual's backyard! 

The program began with an introduction of staff and participants followed by a brief introduction to why birds vocalize. After introductions, participants went on a nature hike led by retired Patuxent Wildlife Research Center scientists Chan Robbins and Barbara Dowell. Chan Robbins is the author of several birding books including Birds of North America. After the nature hike, Refuge staff and volunteers lead participants through different education stations highlighting bird species found on the Refuge.

Along with this public program, Refuge staff offered several other educational programs for the Maryland School for the Blind. Refuge staff and volunteers visited the school in Baltimore to work with several classes during their summer sessions. The students also visited the Refuge for a "Sound Safari" evening tram tour on Monday, July 14^th. The students were introduced to wildlife through tactile exploration and evening nature sounds.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Patuxent Research Refuge and U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center staff and volunteers were thrilled to offer these worthwhile programs and look forward to offering more in the future!