Join us for our fourth annual The Bird Days of Summer this June, July, and August! This year, this popular suite of programs is STATEWIDE and will be in Portland, the Oregon Coast and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon — and they’re free! Visit us in the sagebrush steppe in Harney County and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, on the coast to learn about Snowy Plover or join us in the Portland metro area for fun-filled adventures centered around community and the joy of birds.
These free and laidback events are perfect for nature lovers of all ages! With outings spread across the state, folks can look forward to exploring the diverse flora and fauna of Oregon, while also learning more about birds, dragonflies, our conservation work, bats and more. See you soon!
The Bird Days of Summer flyer 2023, artwork by Jasmine Vazquez
See you soon for Bird Days of Summer 2024!
What you can expect is more fun and birdy events at Malheur and in Portland! Road trip to the High Desert, or Urban Portland to join in the state-wide good times, brought to you by our Education and Conservation staff, as well as our partners this year: People of Color Outdoors, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Topaz Farm, Friends of Trees, Guero Bird Club, FBC.PDX, and Friends of Malheur. Thank you partners! We’d also like to thank Jasmine Vazquez, @jazimalart for the beautiful logo for this year!
The Bird Days of Summer is a series of super beginner-friendly programs for anyone curious about birds and nature. We’re combining community-building, exploration, and fun to create safe spaces for people to get to know each other as well as the birds. Binoculars provided if you let us know ahead of time (or bring your own!), and we’ll begin each program with a short “how-to” to help you get started.
All are welcome! Programs are FREE in 2024! Group sizes will be small, though, so advance registration is required.
The Bird Alliance of Oregon Education Team builds just flyways between joy, learning and advocacy in nature. Through classes, trips, camps, public programs, and youth leadership, we expand access to the outdoors; amplify connections between birds, people and place; and create opportunities for people of all ages to love and care for nature in ways that are meaningful for them.
Important Registration Information
We are excited to offer this suite of programs for free. Please be mindful that space is limited on these programs. If you register, don’t forget to add the program to your calendar. We will send out a reminder one week ahead of time. If you need to cancel, write to the program lead listed on each event so that we can offer your space to someone else. We greatly appreciate notice at least a week ahead of time if possible. No shows and cancellations will be flagged and you will no longer be eligible to enroll in free programming. Thanks!
If you reached an inquiry form, you have reached our waitlist. Now that you have submitted your inquiry for the waitlist, you will only be contacted if a space becomes available. If you have any follow-up questions, please write to us at classes@birdallianceoregon.org and we will get back to you soon!
Your trip leader will email you with details like meeting place, what to bring, etc ahead of the outing.
We rely on the support of generous donors to keep these programs free. Please consider giving to the Spencer Higgins Education Fund today to ensure environmental education is accessible to all. Thank you!
Trumpeter Swans at Benson Pond, photo by Dan Streiffert
About the Sliding Scale
Bird Alliance of Oregon is excited to begin offering programs on a sliding scale. This will increase access to our programs and allow people of all economic backgrounds to explore their curiosity for the natural world. A sliding scale model will move us towards a more equitable, inclusive, and just community.
In the spirit of community, we ask folks to pay it forward when they can. Your support will fund scholarships, as well as future free and low-cost programs.
Thank you for helping Bird Alliance of Oregon move towards a more equitable community for nature lovers of all backgrounds!
July
To view full descriptions and register, click the title of the program below.
Beginning Birdnoticing July 5, 6-7:30 p.m. Birding is so much more than just “watching.” On these short, supportive absolute beginner walks, we will practice the quiet listening, observation, and reflection that allows us to deeply notice birds.
Baby Bird Walks for the Whole Fam! July 16, 10-11:30 a.m. Children of all ages and their adults are welcome on these easy nature strolls. There should be ducklings galore and other bird families to enjoy and learn about. Fun for the whole family!
Accessible Sunday Perch July 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sit and sip while watching birds on this chill bird sit! There are all kinds of different ways we can watch and enjoy birds. Join Güero Bird Club and Bird Alliance of Oregon for an evening of birding basics, a bird scavenger hunt, and birding by seat.
Birds and Bevvies July 21, 6-8 p.m. Experience birding Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island! On these evenings for beginner bird watchers, we will have special access to explore areas of Topaz Farms typically not open to the public. We’ll end the night with a round of bird trivia, great drinks and farm food for purchase.
Bikes & Birds July 23, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Grab your bikes and join us for relaxing rides that take you through some of Portland’s most beautiful wetlands. We will be biking at a birders’ (read: SLOW) pace that will allow us all to see and enjoy.
Baby Bird Walks for the Whole Fam! July 26, 10-11:30 a.m. Children of all ages and their adults are welcome on these easy nature strolls. There should be ducklings galore and other bird families to enjoy and learn about. Fun for the whole family!
Intro to Dragonflies July 29, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Enter the wonderful world of dragonfly-watching on this beginner walk at one of the area’s richest dragonfly hotspots!
August
To view full descriptions and register, click the title of the program below.
Birds and Bevvies August 4, 6-8 p.m. Experience birding Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island! On these evenings for beginner bird watchers, we will have special access to explore areas of Topaz Farms typically not open to the public. We’ll end the night with a round of bird trivia, great drinks and farm food for purchase.
Beginning Birdnoticing August 5, 6-7:30 p.m. Birding is so much more than just “watching.” On these short, supportive absolute beginner walks, we will practice the quiet listening, observation, and reflection that allows us to deeply notice birds.
BIPOC Fly Fits Walk August 6, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. This event is reserved for adults who are a part of the BIPOC community. Show up in your flyest bird themed fits wearing your favorite bird tees, socks, hats, accessories – whatever you’ve got! All who attend will receive a special gift from Bird Collective to add to their bird gear collection. Register for this event through POCO’s Meetup Page.
Baby Bird Walks for the Whole Fam! August 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Children of all ages and their adults are welcome on these easy nature strolls. There should be ducklings galore and other bird families to enjoy and learn about. Fun for the whole family!
Flower Dyeing in the Forest August 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Try out flower dyeing in this laid back and beginner friendly class. Together we’ll explore the creative possibilities of printing with plants known as “bundle dyeing” and more!
Accessible Sunday Perch August 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sit and sip while watching birds on this chill bird sit! There are all kinds of different ways we can watch and enjoy birds. Join Güero Bird Club and Bird Alliance of Oregon for an evening of birding basics, a bird scavenger hunt, and birding by seat. *FULL*
Baby Bird Walks for the Whole Fam! August 16, 10-11:30 a.m. Children of all ages and their adults are welcome on these easy nature strolls. There should be ducklings galore and other bird families to enjoy and learn about. Fun for the whole family!
Dusk Bat Walk August 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Come to Mt. Tabor to enjoy the other flying animals we share our city with. In this introduction to bats, we’ll explore the basics of bats, which species we have here in Portland, and even try our hand at identifying bats in flight with the help of a Bat Detector.
Bikes & Birds August 26, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Grab your bikes and join us for relaxing rides that take you through some of Portland’s most beautiful wetlands. We will be biking at a birders’ (read: SLOW) pace that will allow us all to see and enjoy.
