This program will not be held during the month of August. We are ‘migrating’ to other events during this time. Flock Around the Block will resume as scheduled in September. Hope to have you with us then!
Flock Around the Block is the Ward Museum’s series of in-person, interactive bird walks for children of all ages and their families, which will take place at various parks throughout Salisbury, MD. With each month featuring a new theme and “Bird of the Month”, students will engage in a variety of bird-centered activities, learn the tips and tricks of bird identification, and participate in an official bird count. Join us as we dive into the world of birding and connect with our feathered friends living right in our own neighborhoods!
Flock Around the Block meets on the first, second, and third Saturdays of each month between March and October from 10:00 – 11:00am. Meet museum educators at Salisbury City Park on the first Saturday of every month, Pemberton Historical Park on the second Saturday, and here at the Ward Museum on the third Saturday.
All walks at all locations will follow recommended COVID-19 safety measures, and we ask all participants to wear masks and social distance when possible. See below for our Flock Around the Block schedule and addresses for each location:
Bird of the Month: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Identification: The ruby-throated hummingbird has a small slender body, a stubby tail, short wing width, and a long-curved bill. The top of their head and back are either emerald green or golden green, and their wings and tail have black or brown coloring. Named ruby-throated hummingbirds, the females do not have the bright flashy red throat. This is only seen in male ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Food: Their diet consists of nectar, typically from tubular flowers, and tiny insects.
Range: Central and eastern U.S., most of Mexico, and parts of central Latin America. During the winter, most ruby-throated hummingbirds will migrate to Mexico and further south, but some spend the winter along the U.S. Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida, and along the southern Atlantic coastal regions.
Did you know, ruby-throated hummingbirds have extremely short legs that prevent them from hoping, let alone walking? This is why they are commonly seen flying, even while they eat. Their small and light bodies allow them to swiftly and quickly maneuver, beating its wings about 53 times a second! Ruby-throated hummingbirds can also fly approximately 1370 miles without stopping.
This program is funded in part by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement CB96341401 to the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The contents of this Program do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the Environmental Protection Agency endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this Video.