On Friday at Newfound Gap, on the North Carolina –Tennessee state line, Park Biologist Paul Super with the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center will set up mist nets from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and demonstrate how birds are carefully captured, measured, banded, and released at research stations. Also, ranger-led bird walks will be held throughout the morning.

On Saturday at Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, Tenn., Charlie Muise from Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont will set up mist nets at 8:30 a.m. and, throughout the morning, will demonstrate the bird mist netting practice.  Also, ranger-led bird walks will be offered in the morning 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Materials on bird natural history, bird feeding, and how to help with bird conservation will be distributed at both locations.

“Compliments of Starbucks coffee shop at Five Oaks shopping center in Sevierville, Tenn., shade-grown coffee will be served to emphasize the importance of traditional coffee plantations that support over 150 species of birds – many of these migrants from the Smokies,” said Park Ranger Carey Jones, coordinator of the event.          

            The 2006 IMBD theme - "The Boreal Forest: Bird Nursery of the North"

North America’s boreal forest stretches from Alaska to Newfoundland, covering 1.5 billion acres – a mosaic of forests, lakes, rivers, grasslands, bogs, and tundra.  Nearly 50 percent of all North America’s bird species rely on the boreal forest at some point in their life cycle.

In the Great Smokies, the 13,000 acres of boreal forest containing the Spruce-Fir is the southernmost in the east, and thus the southern limit of nesting habitat for species like Blackburnian Warbler and Hermit Thrush. This slice of Canada also provides important resting grounds for many migrating birds.

Since 1993, IMBD has celebrated the return of millions of migratory birds from their non-breeding grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S., to their North American nesting habitats. “Although most migratory birds are still abundant, many species are at risk due to the loss of habitat throughout the Western Hemisphere. IMBD focuses public attention on the need for action to conserve birds and their habitats. Celebrating bird migrations is your opportunity to introduce others to the wonder of birds and to help ensure that they will always be a part of our future,” said Park Ranger Jones.

Partners In Flight (PIF)/ Compañeros en Vuelo / Partenaires d’Envol was launched in 1990 in response to growing concerns about declines in the populations of many land bird species, and to emphasize the conservation of birds not covered by existing conservation initiatives. PIF is a cooperative effort involving partnerships among federal, state and local government agencies, philanthropic foundations, professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic community, and private individuals. For more information on IMBD and PIF go to www.partnersinflight.org.