Breakfast & Slow Birding at Lake Lynn Park with Wake Audubon & NAMI Wake County

Breakfast and Slow Birding at Lake Lynn Park
Saturday, September 20, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. (Arrive 8:30 a.m. for food and fellowship; birding begins at 9:00 a.m.)
Sponsors: Wake Audubon and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wake County.
Step outside with NAMI Wake County and Wake Audubon for a morning of connection, calm, and curiosity.

This outing introduces our new partnership with NAMI Wake County and a new format, with a slow pace to observe birds, relax in nature, and enjoy social connection.
Why partner together?
As more and more stressors impact our everyday lives, the toll on our mental health can be debilitating.
As remedy, birding, bird song, and time in nature are proven to ease stress, boost mood, promote community, and strengthen well-being. We’re a natural fit.

What is slow birding?
If new to you, slow birding is an approach to observing birds that majors on connection, mindfulness, and appreciation of the birds, wildlife and scenery around us.
While slow birding can take different forms, this outing is designed to appeal to persons who prefer a more relaxed birding environment, whereby we take time to identify birds, enjoy their song, watch their behavior, and notice their habitats, and the other wildlife around them. Such as great blue heron patiently stalking prey. And box turtles with legs splayed out, sunning themselves on nearby snags.

Our guide will be NAMI Wake County Executive Director Mark Simon.
An avid birder, Mark is grateful for how birding has served his own mental health and passionate about sharing this source of well-being with others.
Co-host will be Wake Audubon board member and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging event lead Rick LaRose (he/him), who serves to bring accessible and welcoming ways for everyone to enjoy birds and take part in nature, wherever they are in their life journeys.

Driving directions and logistics

• Meet in the ample parking lot at Lake Lynn Park community center, 7921 Ray Road. Raleigh, NC 27613. The lot is tiered; park on either level.
• Follow the Wake Audubon | NAMI Wake County signs to our gathering place at the far end of the lot, closest to the community center.
  Look for your co-hosts Rick and Mark. We’ll have lanyards or nametags on.

We’ll start by snacking on pastries (some gluten free) and coffee as we all greet and enjoy community with each other. 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

During this time, we’ll assist anyone to borrow binoculars. Please arrive at 8:30 to be provided a pair and receive personalized help to focus them for your eyesight. There’s no requirement to use binoculars, yet, we’ll have plenty to borrow if you choose to do so and provide a safe space to learn.

Bring your own (refillable) water bottle if you intend to drink and/or carry water with you on the outing.

The community center opens at 9 a.m. for anyone needing to use restrooms (gendered) or refill a water bottle.
We’ll commence the outing right away afterwards.

We’ll traverse some slight inclines and declines along a paved trail before reaching the flat of the over-water boardwalk (wooden slats) and paved trail that we’ll bird along after.
Most paved trail is through shady woodland, and most boardwalk in the sun, so come prepared for both.

For those unfamiliar with birding Lake Lynn Park, a section of willows along the boardwalk often provides great promise for migrating warblers this time of year.

Questions ahead? Email event manager Rick LaRose at [rlarose.was@gmail.com](mailto:rlarose.was@gmail.com).
Text Rick on the day of the event with any questions at 919 609-7570.

We're looking forward to sharing community and birding together with you on Saturday, September 20!

Wake Audubon advocates birds, wildlife, nature, and environmental conservation with a commitment to providing activities where all can safely access and celebrate nature as their authentic selves.
NAMI Wake County is the local affiliate for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that people affected by mental illness can build better lives.