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World Migratory Bird Day 2023

WMBD is taking place on Saturday, May 13 at the Frick Environmental Center, from 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Many of the bird species that sing to us all summer have winter homes farther south in Central or South America. Some birds pass through our region, and some settle in for the summer. World Migratory Bird Day celebrates the diversity of birds that live among us. 

On Saturday, May 13, we’ll host activities at the Frick Environmental Center to engage your larger-than-bird brain and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in partnership with the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, Pittsburgh Park Rangers, Carnegie Museum of Natural History (BirdSafe Pittsburgh & Powdermill Avian Research Center), Allegheny Goatscape, BirdLab, Carnegie Mellon University, Feminist Bird Club of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. We will have various activities for learners of all ages, from fledgling to adult, that teach ways to appreciate and help birds in our backyards.  

 
This year's theme for the global event is, "Water: Sustaining Bird Life."
 
 
 

The Agenda

Join us for activities all about birds, featuring bird walks, birding, story hikes, children's activities, virtual reality and more. Learn alongside bird experts and naturalist educators. 

This event does not require registration, however, registration is encouraged for select events, listed below. 

Events that Do Not Require Registration

Most of the fun is registration-free! So come on down and enjoy a day jam packed with fun activities!

  • Bird Banding in the Amphitheater 7:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
    • Get a close up look at some of our native species
    • Bird banding activities are weather dependent and will pause during precipitation and could cease early due to high temperatures
  • “Lost in the Light” - Games for Change – Bird Migration VR Simulator Play Testing 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
  • Allegheny GoatScape 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
    • Come meet one of Allegheny Goatscape’s herds and learn about the work they are doing to restore native habitat that could benefit migratory birds
  • Ongoing Children’s Activities in the Nature Play Area  9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
    • Binocular making, a bird scavenger hunt, and bird feeder making
  • Ways to Help Injured Wildlife with Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

Events that Require Registration

Registration is encouraged for the following events

Early Birding

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Set your alarms for our earliest birding of the day! We will hit the trails and plan to travel along 1.5 to 2 miles of Frick Park trails to see what bird discoveries we can make. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Extra binoculars will be available for attendees.

After meeting by the Frick Environmental Center fountain, the planned trail route will be -> North Clayton Trail -> Biddle Trail -> Tranquil Trail -> Falls Ravine Trail -> End back at the Frick Environmental Center.

For detailed accessibility information on this location, please visit the Frick Environmental Center Birdability Site Review on the Birdability Map:

https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b9d1bd41b4f1429f867f330885e2250e&query=survey123_7b5a83ebc9044268a03b84ff9fe12c71_stakeholder_2837%2Clocation_name,Frick%20Environmental%20Center%20%2B%20Clayton%20Loop%20Trail%20-%20Frick%20Park

Morning Birding w/ the Feminist Bird Club of Pittsburgh

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Join the Feminist Bird Club of Pittsburgh for an early session of birding at Frick Park.

Accessible Birding

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Join us for a casual morning of watching, listening to, and enjoying birds! This event is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for beginner birders and people who experience accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other health concerns. With that said, all are welcome to attend.

Instead of a long hike, we will spend our time on the paved paths near the bird feeders of the Frick Environmental Center, utilizing elevators as needed to access lower levels of the building for different views of the birds.

Extra binoculars, folding chairs, coffee, and tea will be available for attendees.  For detailed accessibility information on this location, please visit the Frick Environmental Center Birdability Site Review on the Birdability Map:

https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b9d1bd41b4f1429f867f330885e2250e&query=survey123_7b5a83ebc9044268a03b84ff9fe12c71_stakeholder_2837%2Clocation_name,Frick%20Environmental%20Center%20%2B%20Clayton%20Loop%20Trail%20-%20Frick%20Park

Story Hike

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join a naturalist Educator for a fun-filled bird story and a short bird themed hike to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!

Thank you to our community parnters!