Kingsport Birding Trail 2010 present A healthy local response to a national trend

Transcription

1 Kingsport Birding Trail 2010 present A healthy local response to a national trend The KBT Project began in early 2010 with a published color brochure/checklist and web site using the work of local photographers featuring local birds later that year 1

2 KBT is located throughout Kingsport KBT influence on public art includes Allandale Mansion s Heron Dome 2

3 Kingsport Sculpture Walk features Bird Watchers Kingsport Permanent Collection located at 400 Broad Street Photo Jeff Fleming Neo-tropical migrants make KBT home for summer and are a Bays Mountain Park favorite Scarlet Tanager Photo Mike Poe 3

4 KBT sponsored event KBT Sponsors Fun Fest Event Guided Bird Walks provided 4

5 Red-winged Blackbirds are easy to find in the wetlands of the certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Cattails at MeadowView Public Golf Course Photo Rick Phillips KBT is target for positive media coverage 5

6 Baltimore Oriole is a frequent nesting species along the South Fork Holston River at Domtar Park Photo Mike Poe Kingsport TimesNews March 20,

7 Kingsport TimesNews March 20, 2011 Colorful American Goldfinches flock to Eastman Park at Horse Creek Photo Rick Phillips 7

8 USGS Master Bird Bander Richard Lewis conducts Bird Banding Demonstration on the KBT Richard said a highlight of the demonstration was when a 7 year old girl assisted by releasing a banded Carolina Chickadee and when the bird did not immediately fly off she looked to her mom with eyes as big as saucers and said, Mom! I think she likes me! Nesting Great Blue Herons are a popular scene on the KBT at Ft. Patrick Henry Dam Photo Mike Poe 8

9 Kingsport TimesNews November 3, 2011 article featuring Tennessee State Ornithologist Scott Somershoe Johnson City Press article November 3,

10 Brilliant Eastern Bluebirds are prolific along Greenbelt Photo Rick Phillips TDEC Sustainable Communities highlights KBT as Featured Project 10

11 KBT rarity draws a crowd Regional birders first to arrive as rarity attracts visitors from several States January 31,

12 Kingsport TimesNews February 7, 2013 captures another visit of TWRA Ornithologist Scott Somershoe to the KBT 12

13 Local Restaurant Owner Estimates 1,000 Bird Watching Visitors Photo Riverfront Seafood Company Photo Wayne Michelli Wayne Michelli owns the Riverfront Seafood Company located at 1777 Netherland Inn Road in Kingsport, Tennessee. When asked how the recent rare Harlequin Duck spotted on the South Fork Holston River behind his restaurant had impacted his business he said, I have seen around 1,000 bird watchers come to see the Harlequin Duck, sometimes by the van load. I think we sold around 200 meals to people who came just to see the duck. Customers kept asking what are all the people looking at so I trained my staff about the Harlequin Duck and it s normal range so we could answer all the questions. All of the visitors were very respectful of my property and my neighbors property. They were more likely to pick up a piece trash than to litter. I was happy to put a KBT sticker on the front door of my business! Most recent rarity reported on the KBT. Ross s Goose Photo Angela May 13

14 Tennessee Conservationist KBT feature article March/April 2013 Bird Watchers of all skill levels can enjoy the KBT Photo David Grace 14

15 State Representative Jon Lundberg Delivers House of Representatives Proclamation recognizing the Kingsport Birding Trail as the first birding trail in the state Various events, promotions, and recognition encourage participation in healthy activity o o o o o o Birding outdoors increases quality of life Preventative or corrective activity against Nature Deficient Disorder Bird identification as a cognitive stimulus Using binoculars keeps fine motor skills tuned-up Viewing beautiful wild birds encourages repeated activities Birding as a hobby offers social network expansion or can be done alone 15

16 Dr. Wallace Bigby, a physician and member of the TDEC Commissioner s Council on Greenways and Trails, stated in The Tennessee Conservationists issue dated January/February 2011: Active people eat healthier. Outdoor exercise not only improves the body but it improves the spirit, reduces depression, lifts up the heart and improves the quality of life. Birding is a outdoor activity with benefits to participants including: o Being Healthier o Being Happier o Being Wealthier 16

17 TDOT Registered Road Trail in Design Phase by Kingsport MTPO Coordinator Troy Ebbert This your trail SUPPORT IT! 17

18 Photo David Grace 18

19 Potential New Sites o Warrior s Path State Park o Kingsport Arboretum Kingsport Birding Trail IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE 100 KBT Birds in a year AWARDED TO Bald Eagle Photo Bruce Cole Bill Grigsby 19