February is National Bird-feeding Month! In celebration, we wanted to share some tips to enhance your bird-watching experience at Meadowood.
Here on our sprawling, 131-acre campus, we’re fortunate to host an abundance of wildlife. Residents of our senior living community in Worcester, PA, have spotted all kinds of creatures, from foxes to deer to rabbits, when they’re out walking our trails or exploring the Meadowood Nature Preserve.
Of all of the fascinating varieties of wildlife, though, there’s one species that’s very near and dear to the Meadowood mission: our diverse bird population. We are a true bird-loving community. Bird feeders abound, and unlike at some other communities, residents are free to feed their feathered friends, which are frequent guests of balconies, patios and personal gardens.
We’ve even shown our devotion to our campus bird population by naming many of our residential buildings after birds. A few examples are Robin Ridge, Bluebird Crossing and Pheasant Run.
Even the four buildings in The Grove, our brand-new expansion, are named after feathered creatures: Oriole, Mallard, Heron and Goldfinch. And the floor plans at The Grove are named after the graceful trees and flowers — Chestnut, Birch, Beech and Aster — in which birds love to make their nests. What’s more, the Meadowood logo is a goose, symbolizing the need for us all to stay in a flock for support and safety.
Yes, birds are everywhere at Meadowood, so if you’re a beginning birder, here are a few tips to make it easier for you to enjoy their spectacular sights and sounds.
Advice for Beginning Birders
- Get prepared. Purchase some basic gear, like a field guide, a set of binoculars, a birding app and a notebook to record the birds you’re identifying. One good source of information about this gear is the Audobon Society.
- Get out there. Decide what time of day you’re going (early morning, just after sunrise and before mid-morning is a good time period to spot birds) and dress in muted or dark colors to blend into the environment. Bright-colored clothes make it more obvious when you’re moving and may scare birds away. You’ll also want to consider the weather. After a bad storm, birds are often more active because they come out to feed.
- Be stealthy. Birds have much more acute hearing than humans do. By minimizing noise, you can get closer to a bird and allow others to enjoy its presence as well. You’ll also want to avoid sudden movement, which can startle these colorful creatures.
- Find the perfect viewing spot. All over Meadowood, you’ll find idyllic nooks in which to spot birds. Make a point of visiting our wildlife refuge, and be sure to check out our ponds, which are peaceful havens for ducks, geese and other waterfowl. Just be patient! It can take a lot of time to spot that feathered creature you’ve set your heart on seeing.
To find out how you can join the Meadowood Club, or to tour the campus and see our gorgeous bird population for yourself, give us a call at 610.584.1000. Happy bird-watching!