WAYNESBORO – Renfrew Institute is sponsoring an owl walk along the hiking trails of Renfrew Park in Waynesboro on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. Led by naturalist Lori Schlosser, the excursion is open to adults age 15 and up.
The activity is free (donations appreciated), but registration is required and limited to 50. Spaces fill up quickly, so anyone wishing to join the walk should register soon.
Prior to the walk, Schlosser, who is a faculty member of the institute, will present an introduction to owls and a preview of various owl calls during a brief informational session at Renfrew’s visitors center.
Schlosser will lead the group along trails in the park. During several stops, participants will pause to call various owls, including the great horned owl, the barred owl and the screech owl.
Schlosser said patience pays off when trying to call owls. “If the calls are too loud, you can scare them off,” she said. Participants are required to sit quietly for short periods of time to watch for owl flight and listen for owl reply calls.
Once participants learn to call owls, Schlosser hopes they will attempt to do it on their own. “People can try calling owls in any number of places, maybe in their backyard or along a road at the edge of a woods.”
Those attending should dress appropriately for the weather, as the walk may last up to an hour. Flashlights are permitted; however, participants will be asked to turn them off during the walk to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness.
This program is underwritten in part by Marge Kiersz; Lucinda D. Potter, CPA; Smith Elliott Kearns & Company; and by Renfrew Institute’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation, APX Enclosures, Inc., and the Carolyn Terry Eddy Family: Carolyn, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin. Facility support is provided courtesy of Renfrew Museum and Park.
For more information or to register, call the institute at 717-762-0373 or email to: info@renfrewinstitute.org. Parking is available in Renfrew’s lower lot.