NIAGARA FALLS, APRIL 25, 2016 – The 4^th Annual Amateur “Bird Walk” at the historic Oakwood Cemetery (OC), 763 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls, NY is scheduled for 8 AM on Saturday, April 30^th.

Free and open to the public, birders are asked to meet at the Oakwood House to register and pick-up a free “Migrating Birds of Niagara Checklist”.  Please, bring your binoculars and your cameras; wear weather appropriate clothing with comfortable shoes.  Free parking and open restrooms are available on-site.  Even a pleasant stroll through the park-like setting is invigorating.

Whitney Mallam, president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association board of directors and chair of the event, invites interested persons to join him on this special outing: “I look forward to sharing this experience with other birders and nature lovers.  Our historic, mid-19^th century, 18.5 acre site is a jewel in the center of the city.  It’s truly an out-of-doors museum and the migrating birds enhance its beauty.”

A breath of fresh air – this unique experience is delightful!  While walking along the historic lanes in the early morning light, today’s birders will come upon wonderful sightings – budding 100-year-old trees, a rolling landscape with curvilinear lanes, and birds from as far away as South America making their spring migration up the East Coast of the United States.  Many resting sites can be found in Western New York and, for some, a summer nesting place.  Oakwood Cemetery, with prime vegetation and habitation, is one of these sites.

While contemplating the plants and animals, birders also have an opportunity to study 150-year-old grave markers and notice that:  Niagara’s History is at Oakwood.

Oakwood Cemetery was founded in 1852 on land donated by Livinia Porter, daughter of original businessman Augustus Porter. Oakwood is home to many of Niagara’s movers and shakers.