If you are like many people during the coronavirus pandemic and have taken up a new hobby, the Dallas County Conservation Board (DCCB) has another option for you. 

DCCB Outreach Coordinator Sarah Gilchrist says people are spending more time outdoors since the pandemic started, due to other activities being canceled or postponed.  She points out one hobby that is making a comeback is bird watching. 

“A lot of people have kind of rediscovered the hobby of bird watching just because they are kind of stuck at home. Bird feeder sales and birdseed sales have gone through the roof I understand.”

With this Gilchrist says the Conservation Board is doing a lot of programming and education surrounding bird watching to help out beginner or avid participants. 

“Not just going out and looking at birds through a bird blind but also some education as far as for beginning bird watchers to know what you’re seeing. So, that’s a big push that we are doing right now.”

If you would like more information on bird watching you can follow the DCCB Facebook page for information on bird watching and the DCCB website. Also, you can register for a birdwatching help group by contacting Naturalist Mike Havlik at mike.havlik@dallascountyiowa.gov