Outdoor Birdwatching Classes
Birdwatching Kayak Tours with L.L.Bean
$75 per person, per session | North Park Lake
All Necessary Equipment Provided
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., May 17 | 8 am – 11 am
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., June 14 | 5:30 – 8:30 am
- SOLD OUT!!! Sun., July 26 | 6 – 9 pm
- Sun., August 23 | 6 – 9 pm | Register Today
- Sat., September 19 | 8 – 11 am | Register Today
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Birdwatching Kayak Tours DetailsPicture this: the beautiful sounds of chirping birds, jumping fish, and the wind blowing through the trees blissfully fill 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.Open to participants 8 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered participating adult.
This is a meet-up-style program; participants travel independently to North Park Lake.
If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility for this program, please call our Education Programs Department at 412-258-9439. Our office is open Mon. – Fri., from 8:30 am – 5 pm.
Birding Expedition: Cook Forest
Sun., June 21 | 8:30 am – 11:30 pm | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55
Meet at Cook Forest | Register Today
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Birding Expedition Cook Forest Details
Walk amongst the historic, towering white pines and hemlock trees of Cook Forest, where you’ll join the National Aviary for a day of song-birding! Underneath the photo-worthy Forest Cathedral, birders and animal-lovers alike will be able to hone their bird identification skills, while younger families with birding beginners can learn the basics as you explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.
These woods are a crucial breeding ground for many of Pennsylvania’s most sought-after songbirds. Join the Aviary to zoom in on colorful songbirds with Aviary experts like Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix; experienced birding experts who will also be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike.Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from us!
Birding for Beginners
Part One: Sun., July 12 | 11 am – 1 pm; Part Two: Sun., July 19 | 8 – 10 am
Member: $30 per person; Non-Members: $35
Registration includes both sessions and General Admission to the Aviary on July 19 | Register Today
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Birding for Beginners DetailsLet’s go on a birding adventure in our own backyard or neighborhood park! It might surprise you to learn that dozens of bird species are commonly seen in our local communities, even in urban environments. In this two-part series, you will learn birding basics as you practice using special binoculars to spot birds in Aviary habitats. Our expert educators will share more about species that we commonly see in Pennsylvania during the summer, their local habitats, and how you can identify them on your own. We will also meet a feathered National Aviary Animal Ambassador and learn more about their species’ important role in our local ecosystem.For the second part of our series, we will explore birding opportunities in Frick Park and put our newly acquired birdwatching skills to use.Birding for Beginners is open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Binoculars will be available to borrow.
Birding Expedition: Powdermill Avian Research Center
Sat., October 3 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55
Meet at Powdermill Nature Reserve and Avian Research Center | Register Today
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Powdermill Avian Research Center DetailsA photo-worthy day full of important conservation work, stunning views, and beautiful birds! Begin your day at the Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC), part of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Powdermill Nature Reserve. Here, you can watch skilled ornithologists gently capture, band, and release wild birds—an up-close look at avian research and conservation in action. It’s a rare chance to see warblers, thrushes, and other songbirds just inches away while learning about migration and habitat studies.Join the Aviary to zoom in on birds like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and flycatchers with Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and Educator and Photographer Mike Faix, who will be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll help you use!Afterward, we continue our adventure into the Laurel Highlands with a visit to the Spruce Flats Bog, a unique high-elevation wetland surrounded by spruce and tamarack trees. A short boardwalk trail leads you through mossy hummocks and quiet pools where we may spot migrant birds on their journey south.Birding for Beginners is open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Binoculars will be available to borrow.
Owl Prowl Birdwatching Kayak Tour with L.L.Bean
SOLD OUT!!! Sun., October 11 | 5:30 – 8:30 pm
$75 per person | North Park Lake
All Necessary Equipment Provided
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Owl Prowl Birdwatching Kayak Tour DetailsFor one October night only!! Two of our most popular fall programs are combining in 2026!Join National Aviary Ornithology and Education experts alongside L.L.Bean’s experienced and professional guides for an Owl Prowl Birdwatching Kayak Tour! This by land and by water excursion promises an exhilarating fall evening. First, observe birds by kayak during a twilight tour. Watch as birds settle in to roost, then move to nearby trails for a moody trek to search for and listen to native owl species, like Eastern Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls.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 the water to scan the shoreline and surrounding forest for birds. All equipment, including kayaks, paddles, safety floatation devices, and L.L.Bean Discovery Binoculars are included. No prior experience is necessary.Participants should wear appropriate footwear for walking on unpaved paths and have a flashlight handy
Participants must be 8 years old or older. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult participant.
Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce County Park
Sat., November 14 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50; Non-Members: $55
Meet Blue Spruce County Park | Register Today
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Birding Expedition: Blue Spruce County Park DetailsMake your own magical woodland moment come to life with a trip to Blue Spruce County Park. Meet up with National Aviary Educator and Photographer Mike Faix and Ornithologist Robert 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 as you explore one of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations.Join us for this very special Indiana County birding experience, where adorable chickadees have been taught to land on the outstretched fingertips of bird watchers of all ages for scrumptious sunflower seeds! Having birds land on your hand for a seasonal snack is a very special and memorable experience for ALL ages that you don’t want to miss! 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. Both experts are experienced birding and education expert who will be able to provide interesting information and birding tales appealing to kids and adults alike.
Birding Expeditions are open to participants 6 years and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow an Aviary pair that we’ll help you use!
Stay tuned for details on our upcoming Birding Expedition to Powdermill Avian Research Center!
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.