Submitted Photo At Audubon Community Nature Center’s Little Explorers on Saturday, March 12, 3- to 8-year-olds and their adults learn about birds they could see in their own backyards.

With March comes the official start of spring and new life outdoors. Birds are migrating through wetlands and other natural areas, but what about the birds in regional backyards?

“Backyard Birds” is the subject for Audubon Community Nature Center’s Little Explorers on Saturday, March 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Many birds are around our homes and neighborhoods. Some have been here all winter, while others are flying back – or just passing through – from their overwintering spots.

Look around and one may see birds searching for food and nesting materials or hear them calling to their mates or babies. They come in all shapes and sizes, and area residents can see many of them right from their own home. Learn more about what birds are doing in the spring and which ones can be seen locally.

After a short lesson, participants will take binoculars and head outside to explore the birds in Audubon’s backyard. A snack is provided after the hike, and a craft is offered if there is time.

The fee for the program is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 – 8 and Nature Center members.

Enrollment is limited to 15 children, 30 participants total.

Make reservations by Thursday, March 10, by calling 716-569-2345 during business hours or by going to AudubonCNC.org and clicking on “Upcoming Programs.”

Sponsored by Univera Healthcare, Little Explorers is presented on the second Saturday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Dawn to dusk daily hike, snowshoe and cross country ski the six miles of trails, view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, and enjoy the outdoor Nature Play Area, all for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2021 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders receive free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

All visitors, volunteers, and staff are required to wear face coverings while inside the building; any updates to these requirements can be found at the COVID-19 Notice on that webpage.