A morning of birding in the chill February air followed by a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee: Doesn’t it sound delightful? On the second Wednesday of each month the Sanctuary hosts Birds and Coffee, a birding excursion for early risers – of both the human and avian varieties! – led by a knowledgeable staff member.

As an intern I have attended the program and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I’ll admit - I am not the best birder. If I’m alone, I have difficulty finding the birds flitting about in the treetops, but a group makes it easier. I’m able to see birds I probably would have missed because there are more eyes in the sky to help me. If one person notices a bird, he/she points it out to the rest of us. That’s why this program is great for everyone from beginners to experts.

The walk is always different, as new seasons bring changes in temperature, vegetation, and accordingly, visiting birds. This month, as our group meandered down the path to Wintergreen Lake (where many of the Sanctuary’s birds can be found), I wondered: Is the Hooded Merganser around this morning? Can the American Black Duck be distinguished from a flock of drabber female Mallards? By the time the walk was over both questions were answered with a yes.

Male Northern Cardinal, one species that might be seen during Birds and Coffee

After our walk, we headed back to the bookstore to compile a list of our sightings and enjoy a nice cup of bird friendly coffee. Packaged as Birds and Beans: The Good Coffee, each bag carries the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s seal of approval. This means the farms, where the coffee is harvested, maintain a diverse plant habitat, ensuring bird biodiversity (https://birdsandbeans.com/). The coffee is available for purchase year-round in the bookstore and comes in four varieties. Yum!

So if any of this sounds like fun, keep Birds and Coffee in mind for next month!