Free Library Of Philadelphia: An Update On The Birding Backpack Program

Philadelphia PA

09 March, 2022

1:43 AM

Description

Press release from the Free Library of Philadelphia: March 8, 2022 If you've spent any time around here, you know we love talking about some of the more unqiue and unexpected items available for lending at the Free Library! You know, beyond the books, DVDs, and other more conventional materials you may be used to. One of the more unique items you can borrow at the Free Library is a birding backpack! And with spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to grab one and get exploring! With spring near, that means the birds will be migrating north again, making this one of the best times to go birding. Many of these birds will land in Philadelphia and stay until fall. Most will just stop by for a few days on their journey, while others stay nearby all year, and are coming from as far away as South America! During migration, you could see many types of warblers, wood thrushes, tanagers, and more! The singing males (looking to show off for potential mates!) make it easy to spot birds in the spring. Each Free Library birding backpack contains a pair of binoculars, local park maps and trail guides, a field guide to identifying local birds, and some information about BirdPhilly, one of our partners. BirdPhilly is an organization that leads FREE expertly-guided bird walks all over Philadelphia. You could borrow a backpack and go birding on your own, or sign up for an organized bird walk. Our friends at the Andorra Library partner with the Wissahickon Environmental Center to offer bird walks, too! The birding backpack lending program started in 2017 at three neighborhood libraries, and thanks to our partners including BirdPhilly, the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Knight Foundation, and others, the program has expanded and birding backpacks are now available at 11 locations: Andorra Library; Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library; Cecil B. Moore Library; Falls of Schuylkill Library; Frankford Library; Greater Olney Library; Logan Library; Richmond Library; South Philadelphia Library; Torresdale Library; Widener Library. Library card holders in good standing may borrow a backpack for three weeks. Check one out today! Keep up to date on birding events and other information by checking out the Andorra Library event calendar. This press release was produced by the Free Library of Philadelphia. The views expressed here are the author's own.