Attendees enjoy All Faiths Cemetery tour

Newtown Historical Society conducted a 2-hour nature and history tour of Lutheran-All Faiths Cemetery on May 11, which coincidentally was also International Migratory Bird Day. Attendees were treated to the sight of 49 individual bird species. They also learned about dragonflies, butterflies, trees, wildflowers and plants by naturalist Rob Jett and Queens College Professor Emeritus of botany, Dr. Andrew Greller. Newtown Historical Society President Christina Wilkinson provided the group with anecdotes about the history of Middle Village, of the cemetery itself and some of those buried there. Nature highlights included: Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, an unexpected Acadian Flycatcher, an Eastern Kingbird, Blue-headed, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Red-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Veery, Swainson's and Wood Thrushes, Brown Thrasher, Purple Finch, Chipping and Song Sparrows, Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole and Ovenbird. There were 11 species of warbler, including Black-and-white, a rare Mourning, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Cape May, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue, Prairie, and Black-throated Green. Flyovers included a brightly colored male Scarlet Tanager, circling Chimney Swifts, a hovering Turkey Vulture and soaring Red-tailed Hawk. As for insects, the group spotted Green Darner and Carolina Saddlebag Dragonflies and Cabbage White, Common Buckeye and Red Admiral Butterflies. The group stumbled upon some wild Eastern Wood Sorrel and Rob Jett invited everyone to sample this common lemony-tasting salad ingredient. This always popular tour engaged all 5 senses: The sight and sounds of the birds, the scent of the flowers and grass, and the touch and taste of the plants.