Outdoor Birdwatching Classes and Trips
The National Aviary offers in-person birdwatching outings, ecotourism trips, and a variety of engaging classes for people of all skill levels!
Upcoming Outdoor Classes
Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean
$75 per person | North Park Lake | All Equipment Provided
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., June 22 | 5:30 – 8:30 am
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., July 27 | 6 – 9 pm
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., August 17 | 6 – 9 pm
- Sat., September 20 | 8 – 11 am | Register Here
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Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean Details
Picture this: the beautiful sounds of chirping birds, jumping fish, and win blowing through the trees blissfully fills your ears as you gently glide down North Park Lake via kayak.
Take to the water with the National Aviary and L.L.Bean for a birding adventure unlike any other! L.L.Bean’s experienced and professional guides will provide on-land instruction on kayak equipment, basic strokes, and safety guidelines before a National Aviary expert leads kayakers out on North Park Lake in Allegheny County. Kayakers will scan the shoreline and surrounding forest for birds as an Aviary expert assists with bird identification tips and tricks.
L.L.Bean will provide all necessary equipment, including kayaks, paddles, safety floatation devices, and L.L.Bean Discovery Binoculars.
Green Heron on the shores of North Park Lake
Participants must be 8 years or older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult companion.
Birding for Beginners
Sun., July 13 | 10 am – 12 pm | National Aviary
Sun., July 20 | 8 – 10 am | Frick Park
Members: $30; Non-Members: $35
Registration includes both sessions, General Admission to the Aviary on July 13, and binoculars to borrow | Register Here
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Birding for Beginners Details
To paraphrase Elle Woods, “What? Like birdwatching’s hard?”
Are you fascinated by the birds you see fluttering through the skies? Are you interested in flying into the birding world? We’re here to help!
It might surprise you to learn that dozens of bird species can commonly be seen in our local neighborhoods, backyards, and even urban environments. In this two-part series, you will learn birding basics from an Aviary expert, including practicing using binoculars in the Aviary’s expansive, free-flight habitats. You’ll also meet a National Aviary Animal Ambassador and learn about the important role birds play within our shared ecosystem. After your program, explore our immersive, free-flight habitats to see vibrant birds from all over the world soar and strut right past you!
Next, you’ll put your newfound skills and knowledge to the test! Venture to Frick Park to explore a beautifully-wooded environment. An Aviary expert will share more about the species that you see fluttering about from tree to tree and teach you about their local habitats and tips for identifying them!
Open to participants 6 years and older; those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
**Participants must drive themselves to Frick Park – a meet up location will be emailed to you shortly before the program. You may bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from us!
Birding Expedition: Powdermill Avian Research Center
Sat., September 27 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55 per person | Powdermill Avian Research Center | Register Here
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Birding Expedition: Powdermill Avian Research Center Details
Meet up with National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill for a morning of birdwatching. Hone your bird identification skills or learn birding basics as you explore some of western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
Powdermill Avian Research Center, the field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is located just 1.5 hours east of Pittsburgh in the Ligonier Valley and has been in operation for more than 60 years. Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill helped operate the bird banding station at Powdermill for almost 30 years. Join Bob to see a wide variety of migratory birds (like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and flycatchers) up close with an experienced bird bander – watching as researchers record valuable data. Plus, learn about the important research conducted at Powdermill that is helping scientists understand migratory birds and their conservation needs.
Birdwatchers may also tour the Powdermill Nature Center and visit additional birding hotspots nearby!
This Birding Expedition is open to participants 6 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce State Park
Sun., November 2 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55 per person | Blue Spruce State Park | Register Here
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Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce State Park Details
Meet up with National Aviary experts for a morning of birdwatching. Hone your bird identification skills or learn birding basics as you explore some of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
Join us for this very special birding experience at Blue Spruce County Park in Indiana County. At this location, chickadees have been taught to come to people for sunflower seed handouts! Having birds land on your outstretched hand and take a seed from it is a very special and memorable experience for ALL ages that you don’t want to miss! Of course, this is near the height of fall bird migration, so we will also explore the area, looking for waterfowl and other birdwatching opportunities.
This program includes some light hiking on Blue Spruce State Park trails, which may have uneven surfaces. Designed for ages 6 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Goddard State Park
Sun., December 7 | 8:30 am – 3 pm | Members: $134; Non-Members: $149 per person | Goddard State Park | Transportation & Lunch from Atria’s Included | Register Here
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Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Goddard State Park Details
Goddard State Park has a gem of a birding habitat – Lake Wilhelm. The lake attracts a large variety of water birds, including gulls, terns, waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. For most people, the main attraction is the chance to see Bald Eagles. During the height of winter, Bald Eagles can reach high numbers searching for fish amongst the gaps of ice in the frozen lake. Join us for the unique opportunity to see these large birds of prey and more of Pennsylvania’s avian winter residents.
Join the National Aviary for a day of birding! Hone your bird identification skills or learn birding basics as you explore some of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations. Meet us at The National Aviary and leave the driving to us! Our experts will share their knowledge and stories from years of birding during the ride! Lunch at a nearby restaurant is included.
After a morning of birding and exploring around Lake Wilhelm, we will warm up at a nearby restaurant for lunch, which will include a sandwich, salad, and a slice of pie. Then, we will stop by a local birding shop where you can stock up on supplies before heading home!
This program includes some light hiking on Goddard State Park trails, which may be uneven surfaces. Designed for ages 6 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visit our FAQ section of our website for our cancellation policy.
In cases of insufficient registration, the National Aviary reserves the right to cancel any program. Under these circumstances, you will receive a full refund.