Bird Bird Bird - The Bird is the Word

still shot from “Birders: The Central Park Effect” showing at the library 9/17 at 6:30pm

Lowell Reads: The Big Year by Mark Obmasick. A delightful romp thru the world of competitive birding.

The aim of our annual Lowell Reads program is to encourage community members to read and discuss the same book. We’re promoting literacy and fostering a better sense of community by creating an opportunity for Lowellians to engage with their neighbors in a meaningful discussion over the same story.

Copies of The Big Year are available for patrons to borrow from the Pollard Library. Patrons are encouraged to start a book discussion of their own with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. Unless otherwise noted, events will occur in the library’s ground floor meeting room. All events are free and open to the public.

EVENTS:

Family Movie Night
Wednesday, September 10, 6:30PM
Filmmaker Luc Jacquet spent over a year braving the frigid temperatures of the South Pole to film this annual ritual of the penguins, and March of the Penguins documents their brave struggle to survive, as well as the close emotional bonds between the penguin families.  (2005) Rated G | 85 min.

Songbirds of the Northeast: Urban Emphasis
Thursday, September 11, 6:30PM
Naturalist and Educator, John Root will be giving his acclaimed lecture on songbirds of the Northeast with a special emphasis on urban dwellers. The role of song in these bird’s lives as well as their diet, social behavior, and other adaptations for survival are discussed. Participants also learn how to provide attractive habitat for songbirds.

Bird Photography Workshop
Saturday, September 13, 1PM
Nature photographer Brooks Matthewson will discuss the basics of bird photography in the library. Then we’ll take a short nature walk along the Merrimack to practice these concepts in the field.  Photographers of all levels are welcome!  Please bring your own equipment and wear comfortable shoes!

Film Night: Birders: The Central Park Effect
Wednesday, September 17, 6:30PM
Jeffrey Kimball’s documentary reveals the extraordinary array of wild birds who grace Manhattan’s celebrated patch of green and the equally colorful, full-of-attitude New Yorkers who schedule their lives around the rhythms of migration. (2012) NotRated | 59 min.

Lowell Reads What Lowell Writes:
Opening Reception “A Poet in Lowell” a tribute to Lawrence Carradini
Thursday, September 18, 7PM
Join us for opening reception for the exhibit “A Poet in Lowell” (September-October 2014 | Ground Floor Lobby) in tribute to Lawrence Carradini, Lowell poet, who died May 1, 2014. Readings by Meg Smith, Ala Khaki, Jim Dunn & Tony Sampas. Free admission. Refreshments provided.

Family Matinee
Saturday, September 20, 1PM
A social worker takes Big Bird away from Sesame Street to live with a family of birds in Illinois. Unhappy with his new life, Big Bird hitchhikes his way back home. Over the course of his journey he meets a number of odd and charming characters (1985) Rated G | 88 min.

Birding on the Greenway
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – 7:30AM
It’s never too late to start a life list! Get out there and get some birds!  The Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust is leading a special Birding on the Greenway tour Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014, 7:30am. Location: Concord River Greenway, Lawrence Street Section. Join the Trust and Mike Baird, Trust member and birding expert, for an early morning birding exploration of the Concord River Greenway! All levels of birding knowledge welcome! Please RSVP to gwen@lowelllandtrust.org or 978-934-0030.

This is all leading up to the 2015 Year of the Audubon celebration put on by The Pollard Memorial Library, Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust and the John Davis Foundation. This celebration will feature a rotating exhibit of seldom seen John James Audubon prints which the library acquired in 1880. The kick-off of the Audubon exhibit will be on the evening of Wednesday, November 5th at the library. At this special event guest speaker, Chris Leahy, from Mass Audubon will share his birding (and Audubon print) expertise.  This will also be the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust’s official Annual Meeting.

The Pollard Memorial Library Foundation has also made full color 2015 Audubon calendars ($15) and blank note card sets ($10 ea) which are available for purchase at the Lowell Reads events or thru the Community Planning Department. Please call 978-674-1542 or email pollardmemorialfoundation@gmail.com for more information.