{gallery}06_16_09/birds{/gallery} A flock of swallows perch on a fence along the boundary of Newton lakes, north of Cody. Four different species of swallow were witnessed feeding at the lake. Tribune photo by Randal Horobik BBHC tour showcases diversity of birds in regionSwallows flutter and dance through the air in patterns that would baffle the best air-traffic controller. Their quiet choreography gives motion to an otherwise tranquil morning at Newton lakes. “They almost behave like butterflies,” notes Jennifer McDonald, program assistant for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. “It's amazing when you can be this close to them and have them zipping around you like this.”

McDonald is here serving as the leader of a birdwatching program offered by the center. Despite a persistent light rain, she is able to point out more than 25 species of birds during the two-hour trip.

“On a good day, we could probably see 35 or 40 different types of birds out here,” she notes. “This is pretty good number though, considering the weather we have.”

The birdwatching tours are a new program being offered this spring by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The trips are designed to be of interest to both longtime residents of the region as well as tourists staying in Cody as part of their summer vacation.

“We thought this might be a good choice for people who wanted to get out, but stay close to town while other people in their group are off doing more strenuous hikes,” said McDonald. “We also thought it might be good for families, because bird watching is something that so many people can do.”

McDonald does her best to ensure tour-goers get a good show. She picks birds out by their song, points out a yellow warbler — the bird responsible for igniting her interest in bird watching as a child — and even lures a house wren into revealing it's nesting site by mimicking a series of shushing sounds which the bird interprets as a false predator warning.

A mixture of habitats — sage prairie, cottonwood groves, and marshlands — provides the tour with no shortage of various bird species. Yellow-headed blackbirds are found in ample numbers. Mallards, cinnamon teal and blue-winged teal can be found swimming on the lake waters while killdeer run in the sand and rocks of the lakeshores. In the cottonwoods, the elusive orange and yellow of orioles can occasionally be glimpsed.

Two more bird watching tours will be offered on June 17 and June 24. Tours depart from in front of the Buffalo Bill Historic Center at 6 a.m. and last approximately two hours. The cost to participate is $10 per person.

Reservations, while not required, are strongly recommended and may be made by contacting McDonald at 307-578-4121.