Discover the Birds in Wayne County
“About 85 million Americans enjoy observing, photographing or feeding wild birds,” stated Chris Kenyon, Outdoor Recreational Promoter for the Wayne County Office of Tourism. “Birding ranks 15th on a list of the most popular outdoor activities, just below bicycling and beach bumming, according to the most recent National Survey on Recreation and the Environment by the USDA’s Forest Service.”
About 18 million are serious enough to take trips exclusively to commune with other birders or count birds by sight or sound, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
“Closer to home the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge reported 172,273 total visitors from October 1, 2015 until September 30, 2016,” Kenyon said. “The Refuge counts visits, not individual visitors, so that number is actually higher.
“We have the birds, so it’s our job in the tourism business to make it easier to locate all our exciting avian populations. Hot off the presses and just in time for the busy autumn migration season, the Wayne County Office of Tourism is now offering a comprehensive guide to assist professional and amateur birders find the songsters. The new 18-page guide book easily fits in your pocket or camera bag, and features 10 “Best Bird Locations” in Wayne County.”
This unique guide was compiled by author and biologist, Susan Petersen Gateley, who has extensive experience locating birds in Wayne County. Laurie Dirkx, a local conservationist photographer, has contributed her favorite bird photographs and Montezuma Audubon Center’s Director Chris Lajewski also assisted with the new Wayne County Birding Guide.
For your free guide contact the Wayne County Office of Tourism at 1 -800- 527-6510.
