Freeman Schoolhouse at Homestead National Monument of America/NPS, Mel Mann

There aren't many parks that will offer you breakfast before you head out with a ranger for some birding, but that's on the calendar at Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska.

On May 4 and May 5 bagels will be waiting for you at 8 a.m. at the monument's Homestead Education Center. After that, natural resource specialist Jesse Bolli will lead you out on a birding walk through the monument's prairie and woodland. Limited numbers of binoculars will be available; you are encouraged to bring your own. One all-terrain wheel chair is available to check-out, as well.

More than 100 bird species inhabit the monument’s tallgrass prairie and bur oak forest, including grassland species such as the dickcissel, common yellow throat, and grasshopper sparrow, raptors such as the barred owl, and red-tailed hawk, and forest species such as the eastern towhee, Baltimore oriole, downy woodpecker and warbling vireo.

“Birding is a great reason to get out and explore the park. All are welcome, no experience is needed. A special thanks to Eastern National, who operates the Homestead Bookstores, for the bagels,” said Superintendent Mark Engler.