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).
Ad Hoc We will be having a walk on Jan 17, 2026 at the Greenwell Springs old hospital site in northeast Baton Rouge, starting at 7:45am. This is a 160-acre site owned by the City of Central and has a variety of habitats and in the past has had decent winter birds. Please know that some of the walking will be on rough and/or muddy ground. This walk is limited to 10 people. If you're interested in joining, please email Charles Williams at chazbizz91@gmail.com to reserve your spot and get directions.
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!
Jan 28 - David Muth - 50 Years of Louisiana Birding
The program will feature veteran birder David Muth and his take on how birding (and birds!) have changed in LA over the last 50 years.. Join us at 7pm at the Main Goodwood library in Baton Rouge on Jan.28th. Come at 6:30 for refreshments. If you can't join us in person, you can register for the Zoom session here:
This is David's description of his talk:
About fifty years ago I started seriously birding here in Louisiana. At about that time, the last comprehensive book about our birds was published, George Lowery's 1974 revised third edition of Louisiana Birds. Looking back, the changes have been profound--both in terms of population of individual species and in terms of what species occur here. For one, we've added nearly 90 new species to the state list in that time, from Blue Bunting to Pyrruloxia. But we've also seen amazing recoveries of many poisoned or persecuted species--think Bald Eagle and Brown Pelican; astonishing range extensions and invasions--like Brown Booby and Limpkin; expansions of wintering species--Ross's Goose and Anhinga, as well as widespread declines of most migrants. WE are going to take a look at some of these stories.
Feb 26 - Louisiana Snake ID March 25 - Dennis Demcheck - All About Hummingbirds April 29 - Frank Rinkevich - The Birds and The Bees
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026 3 at Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge 4 weekly sessions on Monday afternoons with field trips on following weekends Cost is $50 for everything. or March 3, 10, 17, 24 at Coquille Park in Covington Class includes lecture and bird walk at the same location Cost is $50 for everything.
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 you are welcome to take it again. Beginning in Spring 2026, I will offer a discounted Field Trips Only option for folks that have previously taken the class. In order to reserve a spot, you must register as a class member but I will issue a 50% refund once you've registered. This allows me to manage the total number of people in the class, since field trips are the limiting factor.
The Baton Rouge class will consist of 4 lectures on a 4 sequential Mondays 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. There will be an afternoon class and an evening class Both classes will attend the same field trips.
The Covington class will be held on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 and include both lecture and bird walks at Coquille Park
To get more details and to register, click here
Classes will also be available through the LSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Camellia City chapter. You must be an OLLI member to register. In this class, we will discuss how to make your yard bird-friendly. by providing water and food. We will explore gardening techniques that attract birds, with a focus on attracting hummingbirds. Additionally, we will cover the basics of bird identification, including the use of binoculars, field guides, and the Merlin app. Finally, we will review some of the birds you might encounter in and around your yard. To register for OLLI class, click here
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.
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).
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.
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.
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
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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