Outdoor Birdwatching Classes
Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean
$75 per person | North Park Lake
All necessary kayaking equipment provided
- SELLING FAST!!! 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 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
Have you ever seen bird banding up close? This is your chance to meet up with noted National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix for a morning of birdwatching. Birders and animal-lovers will be able to hone bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics as they explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
Join the Aviary to search for species like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and flycatchers, while Bob provides interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike.
Powdermill Avian Research Center in Ligonier Valley is the field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Bob helped operate their bird banding station for nearly 30 years. Learn about how this research is helping scientists understand birds and their conservation needs. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour Powdermill’s Nature Center and visit additional birding hotspots nearby!
Birdwatchers may also tour the Powdermill Nature Center and visit additional birding hotspots nearby!
Open to participants 6 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll teach you to use!
Owl Prowl: Wingfield Pines
Fri., October 3 | 7 – 9 pm | Members: $20 per participant; Non-Members: $25 | Wingfield Pines | Register Here
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Owl Prowl: Wingfield Pines Details
Who-o-o will you hear calling from the trees at night?
Take a twilight trek through Wingfield Pines with the National Aviary’s own Cathy Schlott, and search (and listen!) for some of nature’s most mysterious creatures: owls. Learn more about Pittsburgh’s native owl species and regale as Cathy shares her expertise on these nocturnal neighbors – from their amazing adaptations to their incredible behaviors.
Wingfield Pines is protected via the Allegheny Land Trust (ATL) and serves as a natural refuge for flora and fauna, including native and migrating birds. Nearly 200 individual bird species have been observed at Wingfield Pines, including Barred Owls!
Owl Prowl Tips:
- Participants should wear appropriate footwear for walking on unpaved paths
- Have a flashlight handy
Participants must be 6 years of age or older; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. A short, printed guide that highlights the owl species you’ll be learning about will be provided.
Owl Prowl: Frick Park
Fri., October 10 | 7 – 9 pm | Members: $20 per participant; Non-Members: $25 | Frick Park | Register Here
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Owl Prowl: Frick Park Details
Who-o-o will you hear calling from the trees at night?
Take a twilight trek through Frick Park with the National Aviary’s own Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill, and search (and listen!) for some of nature’s most mysterious creatures: owls. Learn more about Pittsburgh’s native owl species and regale as Bob shares his expertise on these nocturnal neighbors – from their amazing adaptations to their incredible behaviors. Plus, he may even delight you with stories about his Northern Saw-whet Owl conservation!
Frick Park is Pittsburgh’s largest municipal park, covering more than 600 acres. It’s abundant with wildlife, with more than 100 species of birds having been recorded by birding enthusiasts exploring the area.
Owl Prowl Tips:
- Participants should wear appropriate footwear for walking on unpaved paths
- Have a flashlight handy
Participants must be 6 years of age or older; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. A short, printed guide that highlights the owl species you’ll be learning about will be provided.
Owl Prowl + Birding Kayak Tour
Sun., October 12 | 5:30 – 8:30 pm | $75 per person | North Park Lake
All necessary kayaking equipment provided | Register Here
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Owl Prowl + Birding Kayak Tour Details
Two of our most popular fall programs are combining for ONE NIGHT ONLY! Join National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer, Mike Faix, alongside L.L.Bean’s experienced, professional guides for an Owl Prowl + Birding Kayak Tour! This by land and by water excursion promises an exhilarating fall evening…
First, observe birds settling in to roost by kayak during a sunset tour. Then, move to nearby trails for a twilight trek to search and listen for native owl species, like Eastern Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls!
L.L.Bean will provide on-land instruction on kayak equipment, basic strokes, and safety guidelines before heading out on the water. All equipment, including kayaks, paddles, safety flotation devices, and L.L.Bean Discovery Binoculars will be provided. No prior experience is necessary. Participants should wear appropriate footwear for walking on unpaved paths and have a flashlight handy.
Open to participants 8 years or older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce 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 Park Details
Make your magical woodland moment come to life with a trip to Blue Spruce Park! Meet up with National Aviary Educator and Photographer Mike Faix and Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill for a morning of birdwatching…and chickadee feeding! Birders and animal-lovers will be able to hone bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics while exploring one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
Join us for this very special Indiana County birding excursion, where adorable chickadees have been taught to land on the outstretched fingertips of birdwatchers of all ages for scrumptious sunflower seeds! Of course, November is near the height of fall bird migration, so Bob and Mike will also lead you on a park exploration in search of waterfowl and other traveling species.
Having a bird (or two!) land on your outstretched hand is a very special experience you DON’T want to miss!
This program includes some light hiking on Blue Spruce Park trails, which may have uneven surfaces. Open to participants 6 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll teach you to use!
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 and Lunch from a Local Restaurant Included | Register Here
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Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Goddard State Park Details
‘Tis the season to see eagles! Join the National Aviary for an exciting day trip to Goddard State Park! Birders and animal-lovers will be able to hone bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics while exploring one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
Goddard State Park is known for its gem of a birding habitat – Lake Wilhelm. The body of water attracts a large variety of water birds, including gulls, terns, waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. For most, the main attraction is the chance to see Bald Eagles. During the height of winter, Bald Eagle populations can reach high numbers as they search for fish amongst the gaps of ice in the frozen lake.
Meet at the National Aviary and leave the driving to us! Bob and Mike will share their knowledge and stories from years of birding during the ride!
This program includes some light hiking on Goddard State Park trails, which may have uneven surfaces. Open to participants 6 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll teach you to use!
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.