Songbirds of the Southern Appalachians with Topher Stephens

The Jackson County Public Library and Balsam Mountain Trust will host the next in the Natural History of the Southern Appalachians Series on Thursday, May 7th at 6pm. This talk, hosted by Topher Stephens, will focus on songbirds found in Southern Appalachia.  In this talk we’ll explore the amazing diversity of songbirds that can be found in the Southern Appalachian region. We’ll take a look at the preferred habitats and migratory patterns of birds and learn how unique behaviors such as flight patterns and foraging habits can give us clues about a bird’s identity. We’ll discuss the similarities in shape, posture, and proportions within different families of birds and learn about some of the distinctive colors, patterns, and plumages found on our local passerines. Finally, we’ll dip our toes into the fascinating world of avian communication, listening for the melodic and textural details that give each birdsong it’s unique and beautiful character.

Topher Stephens is a Cullowhee, NC local with a background in biology, mindfulness, eco-psychology, and nature-based mentoring. With over 15 years experience as an outdoor educator, Topher brings his infectious passion, light-hearted humor, and deep reverence for the Earth into all of his teaching. Through his organization, Wild Remembering, he teaches courses in birding, wildlife tracking, mindful nature connection, songwriting, handcrafts, and earth skills. He and his partner spend half of the year at their home on Caney Fork, and the other half guiding student backpacking expeditions around the globe.

This presentation is free and open to the public and will be in the Community Room of the library. For more information please call the Jackson County Public Library at 828-586-2016.
 

Location

Jackson County Public Library

310 Keener St
Sylva NC
28779

Telephone: 828-586-2016
http://fontanalib.org/sylva