Well-known ornithologist Simon Thompson will inaugurate a new series of weekend nature hikes at FENCE with a birding hike on Saturday, April 9, at 9 a.m.

Thompson is a co-founder of Ventures, Inc., an Asheville-based touring company that specializes in birding tours. He has led expeditions to Belize, the Peruvian Amazon, the Galapagos, Greece, France, England and Australia. He is the staff ornithologist at Chimney Rock State Park and is a regular contributor to the Hendersonville Times-News and the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

Hikers should meet at the main FENCE Center building, should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and binoculars. There will be a limited number of binoculars at FENCE for those without.

Weekend nature hikes are made possible at no charge with the support of the Kirby Endowment Fund at the Polk County Community Foundation.