The summer of birds: Bird-watching, brews and grants

While most conservation groups slow down during the “vacation-filled” summer months, Birmingham Audubon’s calendar is packed with bird-watching events, grant deadlines and yes, a fundraiser at the local brewery.

So, pull out your calendar, because as one Birmingham Audubon member described the next three weeks to Bham Now – “it’s the summer of birds!”

Grant Deadline – July 31st

As reported in Bham Now earlier this month, Birmingham Audubon is accepting applications from students, educators and non-profits for its annual mini-grants program that connects birds to their habitats and promotes stewardship.

Check out the details here – Birmingham Audubon seeking daring and creative projects to fund 

The deadline is July 31st.

Example of Birmingham Audubon’s educational efforts.

Birds and Brews – August 2rd

Birds and Brews.  Now that is a great name for an Audubon fundraiser.

The generous folks at the Cahaba Brewing Company are teaming up with the Junior Board of Birmingham Audubon for this fantastic event. Scheduled to be held at Cahaba Brewing on Wednesday, August 2nd, 3pm to 10pm, come out and support the Junior Board’s conservation projects, including a new Chimney Swift towers in the Magic City!

Field Trips – Travel the state

Want to discover Alabama’s most beautiful birds?

Birmingham Audubon has planned three field trips south of Birmingham in the Black Belt on consecutive Saturdays July 29th, August 5th and August 12th. There is a chance you might even see the Painted Bunting, one of nature’s most colorful birds. (Read Ken Hare’s latest Natural Alabama about the Painted Bunting)

All three of these trips will be led by Birmingham Audubon’s Greg Harber, one of the best birders in the state.  His field trips will get you “hooked” on birding. If you have always wanted to learn about birds and how to discover them, this is your opportunity.

Here are the links and description for each field trip:

Field Trip: Prattville and environs –July 29, 7:00 am–5:00 pm

Field Trip: Greensboro and environs -August 5, 7:00 am–5:00 pm

Field Trip: West Alabama and the Tombigbee River – August 12, 7:00 am–5:00 pm 

Swift Night Out – August 12th

One final event to complete your “summer of birds” – Swift Night Out.  This event is scheduled for Saturday evening, August 12th, 6:00 at the Pizitz Food Hall.

Come and discover our favorite urban bird, the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica).

Here is a description from Birmingham Audubon of what you will find that evening:

“After meeting for dinner and conversation at Birmingham’s new Pizitz Food Hall, we’ll walk, carpool, or bicycle to one of downtown’s active swift chimneys. Together, we’ll wait for sunset (7:36 p.m.), watch the swifts work themselves up into their nightly “swiftnado,” and then count the number of individuals who enter the roost. Best of all, the data we produce will help researchers at the Chimney Swift Conservation Association (chimneyswift.org) get a better sense of trends in eastern swift populations and the effects of climate change on these birds’ annual migratory cycle.”

A sneak peak of a “swiftnado.”

These are great opportunities to literally “fall in love” with our feathered friends. If you have any questions about any of these events, please contact Birmingham Audubon’s Outreach Director, Ansel Payne Outreach Director at anselpayne@birminghamaudubon.org .