Outdoor Birdwatching Classes & 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 Tours with L.L.Bean
- Sat., September 14 | 8 – 11 am | $75 per person | North Park Lake | SOLD OUT!!!
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Birdwatching Kayak Tour Details
Take to the water with the National Aviary and L.L.Bean for a birding adventure by kayak! 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. L.L.Bean will provide all necessary equipment, including kayaks, paddles, safety floatation devices, and L.L.Bean Discovery Binoculars.
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 28 | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Members: $50 per person; Non-Members: $55 | Powdermill Avian Research Center | Register Here
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Birding Expedition: Powdermill Details
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.
Meet up with a 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.
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 Bus Tour: Waterfowl
Sun., November 3 | 7 am – 2:30 pm | Members: $134 per person; Non-Members: $149 | Accessible Lakes and Marshes between Pittsburgh and Pymatuning | Transportation and Lunch from Atria’s Included | Register Here
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Birding Expedition Bus Tour: Waterfowl DetailsDuck, duck, duck…..goose!
Meet up with National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill for a morning of birdwatching! Hone your bird identification skills and learn birding basics as you explore some of Western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful locations. Meet at the National Aviary and leave the driving to us: Bob will share his knowledge and stories from decades of birding during the ride!
During this trip, we’ll stop at several accessible lakes and marshes between Pittsburgh and Pymatuning near the height of the waterfowl migration season. With luck, we may see large numbers of waterfowl, including ducks, grebes, loons, geese, and swans. Bob will also share his tools and tips on how to identify the different waterfowl species!This program includes some light hiking to various lakes and marshes, which are unpaved and uneven surfaces. Designed for ages 6 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Owl Prowl: Wingfield Pines Conservation Area
Fri., October 4 | 7 – 9 pm | $20 per participant | Wingfield Pines Conservation Area | Register Here
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Owl Prowl: Wingfield Pines Conservation Area Details
Who-o-o will you hear calling from the trees at night?
Take a twilight trek through Wingfield Pines Conservation Area with a National Aviary expert to search for owls. Learn about the various owl species, including large Great Horned Owls and tiny Eastern-Screech Owls, found in and around Pittsburgh. Learn all about their amazing adaptations and behaviors, and with any luck, hear one calling from up in the trees!
Wingfield Pines Conservation Area is protected via the Allegheny Land Trust (ATL), and serves a natural refuge for flora and fauna, including native and migrating birds. Nearly 200 individual bird species have been observed at Wingfield Pines, including the species mentioned above AND 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.
AS A BONUS: Symbolically adopt a Northern Saw-whet Owl this fall, supporting the National Aviary’s critical conservation effort, Project Owlnet!
Can’t make it to this event? Join us for Owl Prowl: Frick Park on Fri., October 11 OR Owl Prowl Birding Kayak Tour on Sun., October 13!
Owl Prowl: Frick Park
Fri., October 11 | 7 – 9 pm | $20 per participant | 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 a National Aviary expert to search for owls. Learn about the various owl species, including large Great Horned Owls and tiny Eastern-Screech Owls, found in and around Pittsburgh. Learn all about their amazing adaptations and behaviors, and with any luck, hear one calling from up in the trees!
Frick Park is Pittsburgh’s largest municipal park, measuring at more than 600 acres. It’s abundant with wildlife with more than 100 species of birds have been recorded by birding enthusiast 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.
AS A BONUS: Symbolically adopt a Northern Saw-whet Owl this fall, supporting the National Aviary’s critical conservation effort, Project Owlnet!
Can’t make it to this event? Join us for Owl Prowl: Wingfield Pine Conservation Area on Fri., October 4 OR Owl Prowl Birding Kayak Tour on Sun., October 13!
Owl Prowl Birding Kayak Tour
Sun., October 13 | 5:30 – 8:30 pm | $75 per person | North Park Lake | Register Here
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Owl Prowl Birding Kayak Tour DetailsFor one night only!! Two of our most popular fall programs are combining in 2024! This October, join National Aviary Ornithology and Education experts and L.L.Bean’s experienced and professional guides for an Owl Prowl Birdwatching Kayak Tour! This on water AND land event promises to be an exhilarating fall activity. First, observe birds by kayak during a beautiful evening tour. Watch as species like herons and osprey settle in for the night, then move to nearby trails for a twilight trek to search and listen for native owls like Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls, and more.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. Kayakers must be 8 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Upcoming Trips
Costa Rica with the National Aviary and AAA Travel
October 24 – November 5, 2024 | Call 1-800-354-8761 to contact AAA Travel today
Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Enjoy an unforgettable experience in Costa Rica as you birdwatch in Tortuguero National Park, visit Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, see where coffee beans are grown, and more. Learn more.
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.