See birds like this at the Black Belt Birding Festival — The Black Belt Birding Festival aims to bring economic and environmental benefits to Greensboro. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

The Alabama Audubon Society is putting on the Black Belt Birding Festival in Greensboro on the weekend of July 29th and 30th. Learn more about this event below.

What is the Black Belt Birding Festival?

Flyer for the Black Belt Birding Festival — There are a variety of activities offered at the Black Belt Birding Festival. (alaudubon.org)

The Black Belt Birding Festival is aimed at bringing the economic and environmental benefits of eco-tourism to one of the country’s most economically challenged rural areas. Admission is free but there are activities with add-on pricing so festival-goers can pick and choose what they want to do. Just be sure to bring your binoculars!

How to register

Registration closes today, July 15th, at 4 PM. You can register using this link. As mentioned above, admission is free but there are add-on events you can purchase based on your interests. Here is a list of the add-on events offered:

Early Birding Field Trips including Perry Lakes Park, Birdability Accessible Driving Tour, M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area, Payne Lake Recreation Area, Downtown Birding for Beginners, and the Robinson Family Farm — view detailed descriptions of the offerings here (various prices and locations)
Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours ($30 at the Joe Farm)
Keynote Speaker Dr. Rashidah Farid, Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Tuskegee University ($5)
Afternoon outdoor and indoor options including a Black Warrior River Walk, Black Belt Habitat Restoration at “Contentment,” Birds of Prey with Alabama Wildlife Center, Prescribed Burning and Wildfire Prevention in Alabama, and The Ridge Archeology Project — view detailed descriptions of the offerings here (various prices and locations)
Red-cockaded woodpecker field trip ($25 at the Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest, at Payne Lake Recreation Area)

What you can expect at the festival

T-shirt design for the Black Belt Birding Festival — There will be t-shirts available for purchase at the festival’s kick-off. (alaudubon.com)

The 2nd Annual Black Belt Birding Festival is an extension of the Alabama Audubon’s Black Belt Birding initiative. The festival this year will be extended to include even more events and activities than last year. Organizers expect to see Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites, wood storks, white pelicans, scissor-tailed flycatchers and so much more. Attendees are encouraged to bring water, snacks, insect repellant, sunscreen and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. In addition to the exciting events planned, there will also be food trucks all weekend.

Are you attending the 2nd Annual Black Belt Birding Festival? Tag us in your pictures on Instagram or Facebook!