Baton Rouge Audubon Society

Events & Calendar

Ongoing


Guided Bird Walks

Monthly bird walks guided by experienced birders are held the first Saturday of each month at the Bluebonnet Swamp and Nature Center, located at 10503 North Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Click here for a map

No registration required. Bring your own binoculars. Meet in the parking lot at 7:00 am. $3 park admission fee.

Quarterly bird walks will be held on second Saturdays January 11, April 12, July 12, and October 11, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to about 11:30. These "Walks with Audubon" will take place at the Oakley Plantation, Audubon Historic Site, in St. Francisville, LA. Standard entrance fee of $5.00 per person will apply. The walks are led by experienced birders. Emails will be sent out ahead of time as reminder. (See below about joining our mailing list).

Programs

Beginning in January 2024, BR Audubon monthly programs will be held on the last Wednesday of the month (Jan-May, Sept-Dec) in room 102 at the Main Goodwood library in Baton Rouge. The programs are also offered via Zoom. Links to register for the Zoom programs will be sent to our email list and to the LABIRD email list. The program recordings will be stored on our YouTube channel Check back here for month-specific info!

Program dates and subjects

2025 Programs

Hummngbird Celebration
September 20, 2025 8am to 1pm

We are once again partnering with the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in Hammond, La to hold a Ruby-throated Hummingbird Celebration. The last two weeks are the peak of fall migration for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as they move through our area on the way to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
The Hammond Research Station focuses on plants for the home garden and grows many species of plants that are great for hummingbirds. Many will be in full bloom in September, right on time for the birds passing through. You can learn about many of these plants from Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners that will be on hand to answer questions.
Other activities for the day:

  • Hummingbird banding by Dr. Erik Johnson. See the birds up close and maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones that gets to hold a hummingbird
  • Learn about hummingbird plants from Wild Ones of Greater Baton Rouge and Pontchartrain chapters. They may have plants available for a small donation.
  • Purchase hummingbird feeders from Wild Birds Unlimited BTR and Backyard Birds and Gardens in Covington
  • Learn about the natural history of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as well as about other hummingbirds that may visit in winter in La.
  • Watch hummingbirds in action in the gardens and at the feeder observation stations

Please share in your social circles! Hope to see everyone out there!

September 24, 2025

Our September program features Janine Kharey, founding president of Wild Ones of Greater Baton Rouge. Janine’s program will focus on the fascinating world of native plants and their crucial role in supporting pollinator biodiversity in planned gardens. This program delves into the intricate relationships between specific native plants and the diverse pollinators they attract, including hoverflies, beetles, bees, moths, and butterflies. You'll learn about the unique characteristics of different pollinator groups and the specific plants and design elements that cater to their needs.This comprehensive look at native plants and pollinators empowers you to create a garden that is not only beautiful but also a thriving sanctuary for a wide array of beneficial insects.
Wednesday, Sept 24, 2025 6:30pm refreshments 7:00 pm program. Room 102 Main Goodwood Library in Baton Rouge. Our programs are open to the public. We offer an option to join via Zoom. Please follow this link to register All of our programs are stored on our YouTube channel (search for Baton Rouge Audubon Society).

2025 Fall Classes

Beginning Birdwatching class.

4 weekly sessions on Monday afternoons with field trips on following weekends Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13 at Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge or Sept 23, 30, Oct 7, Oct 14 at Coquille Park in Covington

Have you ever seen a bird and wondered "what in the world" is that?!? And then you try to look it up and just get frustrated... If so, this class is for you! The class is taught by Jane Patterson, current President and Education chair for Baton Rouge Audubon Society. This class will cover the basics needed to get into birdwatching. We'll talk about binoculars and field guides and how to choose and use them. We'll do lots of exercises and skillbuilding. And we'll talk about how to take your newfound skills into the field.

NOTE If you have taken this class previously and are interested in taking it again, please email me so that I can place you on the waiting list. I'd like to give new folks a chance to sign up first.
This class will consist of 4 lectures on a 4 sequential Mondays (9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13 ) and then 4 field trips (weather permitting) on the following weekend with the entire class. Please plan to attend all 4 sessions to get the most out of the class. A daytime class with the same material is also being offered this year. Both classes will attend the same field trips.

  • Class will be limited to 10 people
  • Class will be held in the large meeting room at Hilltop. Enter Hilltop from Highland road no matter what your GPS tells you!
  • Field trips will be scheduled for the weekends following the classes at various locations near Baton Rouge. I will have binoculars to loan for the bird walks.

Register for the afternoon class 1:30-3:30pm at Hilltop Arboretum
Register for the evening class 6:30-8:30pm Hilltop Arboretum
Register for the Covington class at Coquille Park 8:30-11:30am

Classes will also be available through the LSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Camellia City chapter. You must be an OLLI member to register.
Backyard Birdwatching Wed 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15 8:30-9:30am at Firehouse Event Center, Covington
Click here for full description and registration info
Beginning Birding Wed 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15 10:00am-12:30pm atFirehouse Event Center, Covington
Click here for full description and registration info


Mailing list

Join our mailing list to be notified of our events and activities. Send an email to braudubon+subscribe@groups.io with your name in the body of the message to subscribe to our mailing list.

You can also view our Facebook events page for more information.


KidsWhoBird Club

The KidsWhoBird club is a club designed for kids aged 9-16 who are interested in learning about birds. Monthly meetings will be held at the EBRP Fairview Library (12910 Old Hammond Highway, Baton Rouge) on Sunday afternoons from 2:30 to 4pm. Dates may vary due to holidays and scheduling but advance notice will be given via email. Weather permitting, field trips to local birding sites will be offered. Please email me at education@braudubon.org to be added to my mailing list to receive specifics about meetings.

Kids may join by sending me a request telling me why they want to join. (If your kid is younger than 9 but really into birds, I may grant an exception). A handwritten request is preferable. Drawings are encouraged. Email to education@braudubon.org. All new members will receive a packet of membership material.

You will be added to the mailing list and emailed information about each meeting directly.

LOCATION: Sunday afternoon once a month at Fairview library in Baton Rouge (field trip locations will vary).

BIRDING CLASSES

Beginning Birding Classes are held each spring and fall and taught by Jane Patterson, current President and Education chair for Baton Rouge Audubon Society. This class will cover the basics needed to get into birdwatching. We'll talk about binoculars and field guides and how to choose and use them. We'll talk about how to bring birds to your yard where you can see them up close. And we'll talk about how to take your newfound skills into the field.

There are generally two classes in Baton Rouge, both held at Hilltop Arboretum on Highland Road. One will be held in the afternoon and on the evening. Class will consist of a series of 4 lectures with 4 field trips (weather permitting) on the weekend (either Saturday or Sunday) after the class. Please try to attend all 4 classes and field trips.

  • Class will be limited to 10 people. Both classes will attend the field trips together.
  • Lecture will last 1.5 hours, bird walks about 1.5-3 hours. I will have binoculars to loan for the bird walks.

The Northshore class in Covington will consist of a series of 4 lectures with 4 field trips (weather permitting) immediately following lecture at the same location. Please try to attend all 4 classes and field trips.

  • Class will be limited to 15 people
  • Lecture will last 1.5 hours, bird walks about 1.5-3 hours. I will have binoculars to loan for the bird walks.

There will also be a class offered in Covington in Spring 2025 through the LSU Osher Lifelong Institute system. This is a Backyard Birdwatching class that will consist of 3 lectures and 1 field trip. Check the LSU OLLI web page .
Information about registration for classes will be sent to our mailing list (see info above about how to join) or you may send questions to Education@braudubon.org