Residents of the Museum Park

In the distance, situated at about 12 o’clock, is Gyre, the three-ring, iconic sculpture featured in the NCMA  logo. To your right is an open meadow. To your left, in the distance, is East Building, one of the Museum’s two buildings. Residents of the Museum Park: There are two types of habitats nearby that attract birds. The meadow provides an excellent place for birds of prey to hunt for a variety of small mammals and insects. Listen for the call of the red-tailed hawk as it patrols the upper meadow for its prey. The pine grove in the distance provides habitat for insects. The white-breasted nuthatch, brown creepers, and bluebirds frequent these pines to inspect the bark for food. The white-breasted nuthatch has a short tail, narrow break, and measures almost half a foot long with a wingspan of up to 10 inches. The small bird has a gray and light blue back with a white face. Its breast, lower belly, and tail are cream. It’s identifiable by a blackish gray cap, which is a patch of coloring that extends from the beak to its neck, resembling a hood. In flight the nuthatch’s wings transition from light blue to gray at the tips. Listen closely to hear its call. If you would like, reach out and touch the image of the white-breasted nuthatch on the right side of the sign. In the image, the bird is perched on a tree trunk. To continue on the Eco Trail, turn left and walk 190 feet to the next sign. There is a surface change to gravel and back to asphalt as we exit the Blue Loop Trail and walk left onto the next path. This narrow winding path takes us into the Carla McKinney Volunteer Garden. This path is about three feet wide and has a slight decline. The next sign is at the entrance to the garden.