The next Birds and Beers is on January 22, 2011 at 4:30pm at Joe’s Garage. This is the one where we watch the millions of crows fly into Loring Park!
I'm looking forward to this one, the crows at Loring Park are a spectacular sight and last year's gathering was the biggest Birds and Beers we've ever had! The only downside is that we have to pay for parking for this event but we get a spectacular show in exchange. Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities–if you’re interested in birds, you’re invited. You can meet other birders–maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog–the sky is the limit. It’s low key and it’s fun.
Non Birding Bill and I stopped by Joe's Garage the day after Thanksgiving to check out the crow roost and even took a moment to walk beneath the crows in the dark. Loring is a busy city park, these birds are used to a bit of pedestrian traffic. As we walked through, one of the flocks abandon their tree. For a second I was worried that we startled them but then NBB said, "That doesn't look like a crow..."
Sure enough, it was a great horned owl passing through the roost, no doubt looking for a vulnerable crow for a meal. Hope you can make it and again this is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and meet some new birding friends, promote your bird club or group.