Spring is here for Oakwood

The fourth annual "Bird Walk" at the historic Oakwood Cemetery, 763 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, will be held at 8 a.m. on two consecutive Saturdays: May 2 and 9.

Free and open to the public, birders are asked to meet at the Oakwood House to register and obtain a free "Migrating Birds of Niagara Checklist." Bring binoculars and cameras; wear weather-appropriate clothing with comfortable shoes. Free parking and open restrooms are available on site.

Whitney Mallam, president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association board of directors and chair of the event, invites interested persons to join him on the two special outings: "I look forward to sharing this experience with other birders and nature lovers. Our historic, mid-19th century 18-acre site is a jewel in the center of the city. It's truly an out-of-doors museum and the migrating birds enhance its beauty."

While strolling the historic lanes in the early morning light, birders will come upon sightings, rolling landscape and birds from as far away as South America that make their spring migration up the east coast. Many resting sites can be found in Western New York and, for some, summer nesting places. Oakwood Cemetery, with prime vegetation and habitation, is one of these sites.

Following the "Bird Walk" and as part of the Niagara Beautification Commission "Beautify Niagara," individual volunteers and groups will organize at Oakwood House. Chaired by Trudy Christman, "Beautify Oakwood" will include: Congressman Brian Higgins' staff, AARP No. 283, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to name a few. "Oakwood Beautifiers" are asked to bring their own trash-collecting tools.

The Niagara Beautification Commission, the City of Niagara Falls and the Seneca Niagara Casino will provide a kick-off breakfast at 8 a.m., trash bags and gloves, and a volunteer 'Thank you' lunch at noon at the John Duke Senior Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls.

For more information and photos of past events, visit Oakwood Cemetery's website atwww.myoakwoodcemetery.com. To register for events, call 716-284-5131.