A Few Tips to Get You Started...
Bird and nature watching is an outdoor sport - bring your gear and be prepared to have fun! The mornings start outdoors at 6am and the days are spent in the mountains at various elevations and physical environments. Mornings can be quite cool, afternoons quite warm, and a spring shower may pop up. You never know what you're going to get into.
Health Safety
- hand sanitizer
- masks
- disinfectant wipes
- thermometer
- COVID test
Gear Ideas
- binoculars
- camera
- spotting scope
- field guide(s)
- sunglasses
- hat with a visor**
- rain jacket
- hiking shoes
- sunblock
- insect repellant
- allergy medicine
- personal emergency medical kit***
- toiletries
- travel snacks
- battery chargers
- notebook and pencil
- refillable water bottle
Clothing Ideas
- chilly Appalachian mornings and warm afternoons... most days require layers
- jacket
- gloves/scarf
- pants
- shorts
- long and short sleeved shirts
- comfortable clothes and shoes for down-time
**NRBNF uber-awesome hats are available for purchase at the Meadows all week of the Festival while supplies last.
***We have an emergency medical kit available on each field trip.
We eagerly look forward to hosting and birding with you during your spring migration stopover (with our best big cheesy grins, and we mean it!)
- Festival check-in is Monday at 6AM breakfast at Burnwood.
- Upon check-in you will receive a bird species checklist, name tag and personal itinerary.
- Registered participants immediately receive an itinerary; in April additional information and maps. All of which you should read, print, and bring with you.
- We provide lunch, water, utensils and snacks on field trips. Bring your own favorites.
- If you are staying with our lodging partners, check in is between 3 and 5PM Sunday and check-out is the following Sunday morning. Contact them directly to handle late check-in details.
- Burnwood, the breakfast/trip rendezvous point, is located immediately north of New River Gorge Bridge, across Rt. 19 from the National Park's Canyon Rim Visitor Center.
