Experiences in nature: Greenfield Birders set to begin 2022 season

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Greenfield Birders meets regularly seven months a year at local nature parks. The 2022 season is about to begin.

Submitted photo

Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter will feature our “Neighbors” each month, whether it be someone with an interesting hobby or profession, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Adam and Sara Wilson share about Greenfield Birders. The couple has lived in Hancock County 14 years and enjoys birding as a hobby and hosting bird walks for the community. If you know a person or a group that you’d like to see featured in Neighbors, email [email protected].

Name: Greenfield Birders

History: Group started in 2016 by the Greenfield Parks Department and Carole Kulpa, Don Johnson and the late Jim Matthews

Current leaders: Adam and Sarah Wilson and Richard Garrett

Contact info: Find “Greenfield Birders” on Facebook, email [email protected] or check out amosbutleraudobon.org/events

Daily Reporter: What is the purpose of your group?

Adam Wilson: We hope to open the joys of birding to our Greenfield community. Be it a little interest in birds or a major obsession, all levels are welcome.

DR: What kind of equipment or ability level do people need to join?

AW: All walks are free and you don’t have to bring anything other than be dressed for the weather. We have a loaner-pair of binoculars for those who don’t have them. Also, no bird knowledge is needed.

DR: Why do you enjoy the hobby?

AW: After beginning this hobby, the view of my surroundings changed. It made me more aware of nature around me. It also takes you to many places you likely haven’t visited before and has led to some great friendships. Many of our vacations and travel involve birding at this point.

DR:Tell us about an interesting experience you’ve had in Hancock County with this group.

Sara Wilson: Whether it be new people joining a walk for the first time, or people seeing “lifer birds” (the term used when someone sees a bird species for the first time in their life), or seeing a rare species for the area — every gathering has the opportunity to provide an interesting or new experience. Personally, I have most enjoyed our impromptu evening walks to look for American Woodcocks at Beckenholdt and any time we find nesting species that we can go back and enjoy over and over. Outside of our bird housing projects at Beckenholdt, we’ve been fortunate enough to share nesting owls, hummingbirds, hawks and woodpeckers, just to name a few.