Join DCBA at this year's Walking Town event, organized by Events DC.
September 14th, 9 - 11 am, we're hosting a bird walk at Constitution Gardens.
Register Here!
Want to meet your love bird? Join DCBA for a special bird walk and singles mixer!
Straight People register here
Queer People register here
Join us for a bird walk where the only side you have to be on is the best one see a bird!
Upper and Lower Senate parks are great spots to catch early migrators and a bunch of other feathered friends during Fall migration.
Know before you go ... please review the info below for more details about this event.
See you outside!
Please do not bring unregistered guests. It is unfair to your fellow birders on the waitlist and unfair to our volunteer guides. If you are on the Waitlist and have not received an email that a space has opened, unfortunately we're at capacity and can't add more to our flock for this walk.
CANCELLATION: The walk will proceed in rain (best time to bird!), but will be cancelled in the event of heavy downpours or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time. So please check before you head out.
WHAT TO BRING / PARK INFO:
Sunscreen / Sun Protection
Insect Repellant
Comfortable footwear to walk or hike. We will be walking on paved sidewalks and trails.
Water and snacks
If you have binoculars, please bring them.
On-street parking is available. Please be mindful of the signage.
Restrooms are available on the mall, but not close to Senate park.
WHERE TO MEET: We're meeting at the Senate Fountain, between the Upper and Lower Senate parks, the coordinates of the fountain are 38.89369, -77.00861.
Register by clicking here
Our friends at The Maryland Port Administration are pleased to invite us for a special birding opportunity at Hart-Miller Island on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
This event will take place from 9 AM - 1 PM. Please arrive at 8:50 AM and park at Weaver’s Marine Services, 730 Riverside Drive, Essex, MD 21221. We will receive a safety briefing and life jacket before boarding the boat for the tour, which is approximately a 25-minute boat ride to and from the island. Once onsite, we will be taken to various birding stops via bus.
This birding experience is free, but space is limited, so please only reserve a space if you are available and committed to attend. Please don't bring unregistered guests and always check if you started on the waitlist to be sure you've been added.
WHAT TO BRING / PARK INFO:
Sunscreen / Sun Protection
Insect Repellant
A waterproof bag to protect your phone, camera, etc.
Comfortable, preferably waterproof, footwear. Some of the birding stops are unpaved.
Water and snacks
If you have binoculars, please bring them. We have few extra pair to lend for the walk.
There are restrooms at the boat house, but none on the boat or on the island.
CANCELLATION: The walk will proceed in rain (best time to bird!), but will be cancelled in the event of heavy downpours or thunderstorm; cancellation will be at least 2 hours before meeting time. So please check before you head out.
Photo: Caspian Terns, Stella Tea
DC Bird Alliance will be exhibiting some of our member’s wonderful photographs, talking about the wonderful birds in area, and more with the National Press Club on October 9th at Noon. Must be a National Press Club Member to attend.
October 9th
Noon
Cosgrove Lounge
Register here
Get your head in the game! Join fellow bird, beer, & board games enthusiasts for our monthly Wingspan Wednesday hang at Valor Brewpub.
The National Capitol Planning Commission’s final meeting determining the approval of the Rock Creek Golf Course Rehabilitation Plan is September 5th. Rock Creek Golf Course has been home to countless bird species over the years, both migratory & residential. With over 1,300 trees slated for removal, the proposed Rehabilitation Plan will have lasting effects on the birds of DC. Voice your concern (or simply attend) at: Upcoming Meeting (ncpc.gov)
Join DC Legacy Project for a free film screening, community conversation, and information session about Barry Farm.
Learn more here
Join us for a bird walk at one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the DMV with over 400 acres and 9 miles of winding roadways, The U.S. National Arboretum. Don't worry, we won't tackle all 9 miles! But we'll have a great time looking for our feathered friends among the gorgeous gardens & collections.
Know before you go ... please review the info below for more details about this event.
See you outside!
CANCELLATION: The walk will proceed in drizzle (best time to bird!), but will be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.
WHAT TO BRING / PARK INFO:
Sunscreen / Sun Protection
Insect Repellant
Comfortable footwear to walk or hike. We will be walking on paved sidewalks and trails.
Water and snacks
If you have binoculars, please bring them.
Restrooms are available in the Administration Building, the Asian Collection and near the former Grove of State Trees by the corner of Eagle Nest and Azalea Roads. Accessible bathrooms are available in the Administration Building.
WHERE TO MEET: In front of the Administration Building. A map is available here.
Photo: Northern Flicker Artist: Kelly Colgan Azar
It's not unusual to see the silhouettes of Chimney Swifts in the sky, little flying cigars zipping around here, there, and everywhere.
But have you ever seen a Chimney Swift tornado swirling into a chimney? Now's your chance to catch this amazing display and mingle with fellow bird lovers.
Enter through the garden gates on Courtland Place or Devonshire Place. Bring a lawn chair if you'd like and prepare to be amazed!
Free! You can register through Eventbrite, or just show up! :)
Join us at this beautiful getaway hiding in plain sight.
Kingman Island is an oasis of green, and water and ... of course, birds!
Look for the Kingman Island Boardwalk sign to direct you into RFK Parking Lot 6, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE Washington, DC 20002. Getting here is available a number of different ways, look here for more info.
There's a flea market there on Saturdays. We'll meet at the park entrance / trail at the back of the parking lot.
See you outside!
BirdNote is excited to partner with Chesapeake Coffee Roasters for a unique virtual coffee tasting event on Friday, July 19 at 12pm PDT/3pm EDT that combines our love for coffee and bird conservation. This exciting event will feature a guided tasting where you’ll learn about the distinct flavors and profiles of specially selected coffees, expertly led by a team member from Chesapeake Coffee Roasters.
Along with savoring these delightful brews, you'll hear from speakers who will share insights into the important Bird Friendly farming and production processes that make these coffees not only delicious but also sustainable, and how purchasing Bird Friendly® coffee is beneficial for wildlife.
Don't miss this opportunity to indulge your taste buds while supporting sustainable, Bird Friendly coffee production.
Ticket types:
1. Pour over kit + 4 whole bean coffees: $60.
Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, and a decaf coffee (12 ounces each).
2. Pour over kit + 4 ground coffees: $60.
Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, and a decaf coffee (12 ounces each).
3. 4 whole bean coffees only: $40.
Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, and a decaf coffee (12 ounces each).
4. 4 ground coffees only: $40.
Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, and a decaf coffee (12 ounces each).
5. View-only: free for those who do not want to participate in the coffee tasting portion of the event.
6. Donation-based ticket: BirdNote is a nonprofit organization that relies on audience support to produce our inspiring shows and events like these. If you would like to participate in the event only as a viewer, please consider a donation-based ticket of any amount.
Pour over kits and coffees are only available for those in the continental United States only. If you are located outside of the continental U.S., you can still participate with a view-only or donation-based ticket.
About the coffees:
Bird Friendly® Ethiopia
A certified Bird Friendly® coffee from Africa that is light roasted and produces a light bodied cup with tasting notes of blackberry, chocolate and lavender.
Bird Friendly® Guatemala
A USDA Certified Organic and Bird Friendly® coffee from Central America. It is medium roasted and produces a medium bodied cup with tasting notes of dark chocolate and orange.
Bird Friendly® Honduras
A USDA Certified Organic and Bird Friendly® coffee from Central America. It is medium roasted and produces a medium bodied cup with tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry and honey.
Bird Friendly® Nighthawk Decaf
A USDA Certified Organic and Bird Friendly® coffee from Central America. It is medium roasted and produces a medium bodied cup with tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry and honey.
Pour-Over Kit: Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over™ Coffee Brew Cone
Plastic brew cone designed to fit many size mugs, and cone design enables you to see into the cup without lifting to avoid overfill. Comes with a start-up supply of 9 Melitta #2 cone filters. BPA free & top rack dishwasher safe.
About our Speakers:
Tony Barnett, Chesapeake Coffee Roasters
James Astuhuamán, Sustainability Specialist
James has over 14 years in the coffee and cocoa industries, and his expertise lies in sustainable agricultural practices, including agroforestry systems, and carbon footprint measurement. As a certified coffee quality specialist and Q grader, he brings a profound understanding of high-quality coffee production. He has led initiatives with organizations such as TechnoServe, World Coffee Research, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, focusing on sustainability practices and climate change mitigation. Currently, James is a consultant specializing in sustainability solutions for the coffee and cocoa sectors. His work emphasizes promoting circular economy, regenerative agriculture, reducing deforestation, and enhancing producers; resilience to climate change while advocating for bird-friendly practices. James holds a degree in Agronomy Science with additional qualifications in international trade and project management. His dynamic leadership and innovative approaches continue to drive positive change in the coffee industry, supporting sustainability-focused initiatives.
About Chesapeake Coffee Roasters:
Established in 2002, Chesapeake Coffee Roasters has been roasting and providing specialty-grade coffee to the communities around the Chesapeake Bay for the last 20+ years. They’ve committed to give back 2% of their earnings to support clean water and environmental health, which extends throughout their supply chain, through the choices they make as a business and into local communities.
Chesapeake Coffee Roasters is guided by their mission of Coffee, Community and Clean Water, and they believe that a great cup of coffee has the ability to bring people together in appreciation of the world we share.
For more about Chesapeake Coffee Roasters, visit their website.
About Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification:
Developed by Smithsonian scientists, Bird Friendly® is the only certification that guarantees every coffee bean sold is grown in a way that protects habitat for birds and other wildlife. As the gold standard in biodiversity-friendly certifications, all Bird Friendly coffee comes from organic and deforestation-free farms that sustain diverse, native shade trees on their land. In 2023, the Bird Friendly program certified over 14,000 hectares of land in 12 countries, with 3.58 million pounds of coffee moving through the certified supply chain. To learn more about the Bird Friendly program and where to buy certified coffee, visit birdfriendly.si.edu.
Join us for this very special bird walk as we discover, or rediscover, what is means for us to be a birder. What connects in your mind, body and soul when you hear a tiny soprano in perfect pitch singing to you?
Together with MaríaElena and the phenomenal Susan West Montgomery we will enjoy a practice inviting us to slow down, to be curious, and to experience nature more fully. Forest bathing means using all of our senses to take in all that nature has to offer. More than a walk in the woods, it is the conscious choice to be immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.
Meetup details will be emailed to registered participants.
When was the last time you asked yourself ... Who's watching who?
$20 per person
Get your teams together for the 1st Annual Bird Count Derby ... DC style!
Derby-themed outfits HIGHLY encouraged!
We'll meetup when the counting is done to have some lite bites together and continue to build community around birds.
Register here.
Here are the super simple rules:
Teams must have at least two (2) members and not more than four (4).
Make your own schedule as long as all counting takes place on the same day.
All locations must be within D.C. proper, in any -- or all -- of the 8 wards.
The team must maintain an eBird list.
Teams must check in, together, at the tally point, 7PM, Busboys and Poets - Takoma DC.
The team with the most species wins!
Tie-breakers will be rare species (as determimed by eBird) and the best derby costume(s).
Winning team gets a prize and unlimited bragging rights!
Join us for D.C. premiere of the documentary "Bird Walk," produced by local filmmaker Cintia Cabib, followed by a panel discussion.
"Bird Walk" is a new 25-minute documentary which features the birds and birders of RedGate Park in Rockville, Maryland, where more than 160 bird species have been sighted, and on the grassroots campaign which helped preserve the defunct RedGate Golf Course as a public park.
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the film and the lessons learned from the "Save RedGate Park" campaign that can be applied to the Rock Creek Park Golf Course for All campaign that aims to protect over 1,200 trees, birds, and wildlife habitats under threat from a plan to improve the golf course. The panel discussion will be moderated by Roshani Kothari, Film Screening Organizer.
Register here: "Bird Walk" Documentary D.C. Premiere and Panel Discussion Tickets, Sat, Jun 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite
Welcome to a summer adventure you do not want to miss. Get ready to hit the road for a full day of fun, unforgettable memories and of course, birds!
This is our magical itinerary ...
9:00 am - arrive Salisbury, MD (meetup TBD). We'll meet our guide(s) and follow them to Mt. Olive Church Rd for warblers, etc.
10:00 am - birding at Mt. Olive Church Road
11:00 am - depart for West Ocean City commercial harbor (~35 minute drive)
11:40 am - Lunch at a local dockside restaurant (not included in registration fee)
1:00 pm - board boat for 2-hour, 6-mile birding cruise
Join us for a bird walk to honor father figures of all species at Fort Totten Park. This hidden gem in the middle of the city is a National Park! Aside from our usual suspects, this park boasts an impressive roster of migrants who should still be hanging around for a listen or a look.
We'll meet at the picnic tables on Fort Totten Dr. NE., coordinates are 38.94843, -77.00524. Best address to use is 4800-4700 Frt Totten Dr NE. Street parking is ample, please be aware of the signs and any restrictions. See you outside!
The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to an information session on June 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., about the rehabilitation of the historic Rock Creek Park Golf Course. The meeting will feature information about the golf course’s more than 100-year history, project alternatives considered, how the NPS and National Links Trust (NLT) incorporated public feedback, and the status of the tree removal plan, forest and landscape restoration plans and the lighting plan.
The public can ask questions, which will be answered by NPS and NLT representatives, using this Microsoft Form.
How to Attend
Date: June 12, 2024
Time: 6-8 p.m.This meeting will be held as a Microsoft Teams webinar. Click the link below to join:
ASL will be provided. If you require a reasonable accommodation to attend this virtual meeting, please contact the Rock Creek Park Superintendent’s Office at 202-895-6000 or rocr_superintendent@nps.gov by June 5.
To get more information about the project, visit the Rock Creek Park Golf Course webpage.
Background:
The NPS announced the golf course rehabilitation on April 17, 2024, after completing an Environmental Assessment and signing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI and other planning documents are available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=112141.
Join us for a special two-day workshop to explore birding and the special connection the outdoors has with our mind, body, and spirit. We’ll meet in the studio on Day One for Birding 101 to cover bird identification basics; using binoculars; bird habitat(s); and, a review of the feathered friends we might expect to find on Day Two. We’ll finish Day One with a lovely yoga practice, targeting areas that may get the most wear and tear when we’re birding.
Day Two puts our learning into action – and fun – as we enjoy a bird walk at the gorgeous Rock Creek Park, finding and experiencing our own connections with nature. A short yoga practice at the end of our walk, right there among the trees and our beloved birds tops off our birding weekend.
Your registration fee includes all materials.
Day one: Friday, June 7 from 6:30 - 8 pm; location: Bluebird Sky Yoga
Day two: Saturday, June 8 from 8 am - 9:30 am; location: Rock Creek Park
$35 for BSY unlimited members and early bird pricing until May 17th / $40 general admission.
Register here with Bluebird Sky Yoga.
Meet Your Instructor: María Elena Montero has been a yoga instructor since 2018 and infuses her love of birds in her instruction. An avid birder, María Elena serves as the Vice President of Programming for DC Bird Alliance, working to build people-powered, bird-friendly communities in all eight wards of the District of Columbia.
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Black Birders Week Birds & Brunch !
All are welcome to join us at Lake Artemesia for a morning filled with birds and community. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature in a beautiful space, enjoy the company of fellow bird enthusiasts, indulge in a great brunch and enjoy our special guest, Rodney Stotts, one of the few African American falconers in the U.S.
Don't miss out on this special event to commemorate Black Birders Week in the DMV which highlights Black nature enthusiasts and underscores representation and inclusion in all spaces, especially in the healing power of nature!
FREE but registration required. Register here!
Please join us at DC Bird Alliance continues the Black Birders Week celebration in the DMV with a bird walk in one of the local gems, Sligo Creek Parkway. Sligo Creek boasts a diversity of habitat where we're likely to see everything from waterfowl to our backyard song birds to late migrants and even a raptor (or two).
Stretches of the parkway are closed on the weekends for pedestrians and bikers, so we'll meet at the tennis courts between Wayne Avenue and Piney Branch Road, where there is parking, coordinates are, 39.00737, -77.01763.
Join us on Thursday, May 30 to experience the magical golden hour when you can hear a symphony of bird songs in Rock Creek Park Golf Course. You will learn about trees, birds and other creatures that inhabit this special ecosystem and how they will be impacted by the proposed golf course renovation plan.
Where to Meet
Park on or near Tuckerman Street NW where it intersects with 16th St NW. Meet at the end of Tuckerman St NW where it meets the golf course.
What to Bring
1. Picnic Blanket
2. Binoculars (if you have any)
Register Here:
May 30: Golden Hour at Rock Creek Park Golf Course - Action Network
All are welcome to join us in celebration of Black Birders Week 2024 for a photography bird walk led by avid birder and professional photographer, Charles "Chuck" James.
Whether you already have a camera, or thinking about getting one to capture your walks, come out and get some tips on getting pics of our feathered friends.
We'll get a great variety at this beautiful hotspot with a few migrants still hanging around before they move on.
See you outside!
Charles "Chuck" James spent 42 years in industrial sales for Emerson and Regal Beloit. His first birding experience was in 2015 in Glenn Dale, Maryland. The Painted Bunting started him on a journey of photographing birds all over the U.S.
Join BirdNote and BlackAFInSTEM at their discussion of urban bird and wildlife conservation against the backdrop of summer birding and rising temperatures. Moderated by DCBA’s own Dara Miles Wilson!
This event is educational, fun, and FREE!
Learn more here: Black Birders Week: Heat Islands and Summer Birding Tickets, Tue, May 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite
Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
Join us for a bird walk at a very special place, co-led by our own MaríaElena Montero, to kick-off Black Birders Week 2024.
Winkler Botanical Preserve, a 44-acre oasis in the middle of Alexandria's Mark Center, features multiple trails, streams, a lake, and a waterfall, surrounded by woods and native plants. Along with our usual suspects, we're likely to see a few migrants too.
See you outside! Register here!
Join us at Wheaton Regional Park for another beautiful day with birds! We'll meet in the parking lot at the Shorefield Road entrance, and in front of the train pavilion -- turn right off the circle. Hoping to catch some warblers still in town and a host of other feathered friends.
Wheaton Regional Park is the home of the gorgeous Brookfield Gardens, so after the walk, take a stroll to wind down and enjoy the day in a beautiful setting.
Register here
We don't usually think of birds and architecture together…except in the unfortunate ways construction has not always considered the welfare of birds.
But how about birds IN the architecture ... as part of the very design of the building!
Join us with architecture-enthusiast, Brian Wee, for a very special bird walk as we time travel past buildings like the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials that are replete with architectural elements first introduced in Greek and Roman antiquity. We'll touch on avian life incorporated as sculptural elements in these neoclassical buildings.
And ... of course ... bring your bins for birdwatching along the way!
After this walk, we hope you'll better appreciate the "mystic chords of memory" (President Lincoln's first inaugural address) that connect our contemporary experience on the National Mall to the peoples -- and the birds -- who lived in the Greco-Roman world many centuries ago.
We'll be meeting up the golf course parking lot at 6100 16th Street NW.
Don't forget to object to the cutting of over 1,200 trees in Rock Creek Park by NOON TOMORROW MAY 1! Write a short testimony or register to speak by noon tomorrow, May 1, at this link: https://www.ncpc.gov/participate/guidelines
SAVE ROCK CREEK TREES!
On May 2, the National Capital Planning Commission could approve the Rock Creek Park Golf Course rehabilitation project, which includes removing over a thousand trees and replacing them with golf turf. Learn more about objections to the project here.
These trees, some of which are over a hundred feet tall and over 80 years old, are home to American Kestrels, Carolina Wrens, Tree Swallows, Red-shouldered Hawks, American Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, Owls, and many, many more birds and other animals. On April 28, a rare-to-DC Eastern Whip-poor-will was even spotted in the park!
Thank you SO MUCH for your help! We can't save this special D.C. habitat without you!
We're meeting at the Constitution Gardens "island" ... the coordinates are 38°53′28.14″N 77°2′35.052″W. Our walk will take us around The Mall and we'll end up at the National Museum of African American History and Culture where we will have a quick check-in and, if you'd like, enjoy the museum courtesy of passes from the Smithsonian.
Come celebrate DC Audubon Society's new name at Kingfisher bar! Sip on bird-themed cocktails while you socialize with other bird brains (our favorite people!).
April 26th 6 - 9pm
1414 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Join us at Lake Artemesia at 8am for our March Bird Walk! This will be a FUN, INFORMATIVE, and GUIDED walk. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Parking is available at 8200 55th Avenue, College Park, MD 20740, and the park is also accessible via the College Park-U of MD station on metro's green line.
Must be registered to attend! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-bird-walk-tickets-838053218737?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
