Birdwatching

Birding is a fun way to get outside and grow familiar with the wildlife around you. This program will introduce you to the equipment of birding, choosing locations, and the field marking used to differentiate birds. If you have ever been curious about birding or want a refresher on the basics then this virtual program is for you.

Participants will receive the virtual program link at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive this link.

Registration required (ages 8+) Enjoy a leisurely walk around the Discovery Center grounds, observing the birds that use this urban oasis of varied native gardens, trees and landscaped areas. The walk is guided by a Missouri Master Naturalist and Burroughs Audubon member. While geared toward the beginner, birders of all skill levels are welcome. During the walk, bird identification, including old school methods and current apps, will be covered, as well as life history and related citizen science opportunities. We'll meet in the lobby and dress for the weather. The walk will be on sidewalks and mixed natural surfaces over flat terrain. Bring binoculars if you have them, there will be a limited number of binoculars available for use. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Enjoy coffee and learning about birds? Join us at Mingo NWR Visitor Center for Birds and Brew! This program will give you an opportunity to enjoy some bird friendly coffee, starting at 7:00AM, and at 7:30 AM we will hit the trail to explore the world of summer birds on a short walk on the Swampwalk (Boardwalk). The easy rated walk will be about a 1 mile long on boardwalk and asphalt trail surfaces. Bring your binoculars or a pair can be provided during the program. Registration is required. Any minor must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Birding is the fastest growing outdoor recreational activity. Join us for a morning of birding and experience the activity everyone is flocking to. Everyone, from beginner to pro, is invited on a guided birding adventure in the park. Thanks to the unique features found around Walker Lake, Kirkwood Park is a perfect place to go birding. A Missouri Department of Conservation naturalist and Kirkwood Park staff will be your guides.

No binoculars? No problem! Binoculars and field guides will be available for those that need them.

Feeding birds is a great way to observe and connect with the feathered friends visiting your backyard. Let’s explore the pros, cons, and best practices for feeding wild birds. Registered participants will receive the program link by email both the day before and day of the program.

Bobwhite quail maybe the most beloved game bird found in Missouri. Their elusiveness, unique sound, and management make them an intriguing candidate for Creature Feature. Join us to learn about the interwoven connection between bobwhite, land managers, bird hunters, and those who appreciate wildlife.

Creature Feature is a monthly virtual program that aims to educate Missourians about the natural world one species at a time. Register to receive a Webex meeting link to view the program. The meeting link will be sent out a few days before the program as well as the day of the program.

Are you interested in becoming part of the growing world of Citizen Science and are looking for ways to participate? Join us for our Project Feeder Watch Kickoff. We will blend technology and our natural habitats, learn how to record encounters with wildlife and connect to specialists in the science world through eBird, and help gather wildlife data for one of the area winter bird counts, including Project Feeder Watch at Burr Oak Woods. iPhones, iPads, Android phones or tablets are recommended. Registration required (ages 18+)

Start your morning with birdsong, a morning walk, and complimentary bird-friendly coffee! Join a Powder Valley naturalist for an early morning program celebrating the joy of birdwatching. We'll begin with a short presentation on the how-tos and benefits of birdwatching. Hear about the conservation challenges our birds face, and how something as simple as the coffee we drink can help protect their habitats.

After the presentation, we'll go for a short birding walk with our coffee to look and listen for Powder Valley's feathered friends. Learn some easy ways to bird, sip coffee, and enjoy the beauty birdwatching has to offer. After the program, you'll receive your own birdwatching chart you can use at your home feeder.

We will be offering coffee from Café Cristina, a family farm with a small-scale mill and roaster located on the south slopes of the Irazú volcano. Café Cristina is a very important site for neotropical migrants, being one of the few remaining habitats in the eastern Central Valley of Costa Rica; literally an oasis amidst the desert of urban sprawl. Hot brewed coffee and cold brew will be available, complete with all the fixins one might need.

Bring your binoculars and meet us at the front doors of the nature center. A member of our staff will greet you at the door to let you in as the building will technically be closed until 8:00 a.m. for those who aren’t registered for this program. All members of your party must register in advance separately. If you do not have binoculars, we have a pair you can borrow! The birding walk will take place on Tanglevine Trail, which is a flat loop measuring to be about 1/4-mile-long. Please make sure to wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather. Be even friendlier to our environment by bringing your own mug or cup for coffee!

Winter can be a challenging time for Missouri's birds, but a little help from us can make a big difference! Discover which birds stick around for the winter, what foods they need, and how to create a safe, welcoming feeding station in your own backyard for their enjoyment and yours. All ages. Registration required. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This link will be sent the day of the program. This program will not be recorded.

Visit with members of the Missouri Duck Decoy Collectors and view a variety of decoys from the last century, many of which were created in Jefferson City! Learn about the materials and artistry that went into creating this useful hunting gear, turning them into unique works of art. Ongoing lobby activities for all ages will feature games, crafts, and displays highlighting Missouri's waterfowl.

Keep your backyard birds happy with a homemade suet feeder! Join a naturalist, virtually, to learn about common birds you may see on feeders in winter and receive step-by-step instructions on making your own suet feeder. Registered participants will receive the program link by email both the day before and day of the program.

Start your morning with a naturalist and learn the basics of winter bird identification while enjoying a hot cup of java! After a classroom introduction to Missouri’s winter birds, follow the naturalist on a winter bird walk to put your new skills to the test. Hot water and tea will also be provided. Please dress for the weather.

Registration required (ages 8+) Enjoy a leisurely walk around the Discovery Center grounds, observing the birds that use this urban oasis of varied native gardens, trees and landscaped areas. The walk is guided by a Missouri Master Naturalist and Burroughs Audubon member. While geared toward the beginner, birders of all skill levels are welcome. During the walk, bird identification, including old school methods and current apps, will be covered, as well as life history and related citizen science opportunities. We'll meet in the lobby and dress for the weather. The walk will be on sidewalks and mixed natural surfaces over flat terrain. Bring binoculars if you have them, there will be a limited number of binoculars available for use. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Come to Loess Bluff National Wildlife Refuge for the 47th Annual Eagle Days event. Starting at 9 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday there will be live eagle shows on the hour by World Bird Sanctuary. There will also be optional stops on the auto tour route to stop and view eagles and waterfowl through spotting scopes. The refuge visitor's center will also be open. Food and drinks will be available for purchase as well.

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time. Warm clothing, gloves, and flashlights are encouraged.

Join us for a beginner winter-bird ID program and discover the various feathered visitors you’re likely to encounter during the cold months in Missouri. This program reviews 30+ common Missouri winter birds, their physical characteristics, and what foods they’re attracted to.Tips will be provided on how to create a bird-friendly environment to attract birds to your backyard.

Also, check out the Winter Bird Hike program we'll be offering later that day and register for it separately if interested in attending. Thanks!

Come join us for a relaxing hike on Rock Quarry Trail at Rockwoods Reservation as we identify some of our local winter Missouri birds by sight and sound along the way. Whether you're just curious about birding and looking to get started or have been doing it for a while, all are welcome to join!

Also, check out the Winter Bird ID program we'll be offering earlier that day and register for it separately if interested in attending. Thanks!

Many waterfowl migrate to Missouri every year for winter. Join this virtual program to learn how to identify some of the ducks and geese that come to our state every year. This program will not be recorded. All ages. Registration required. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This link will be sent the day of the program. This program will not be recorded.

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time.

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time. Warm clothing, gloves, and flashlights are encouraged.

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time.

Join us for a morning all about birds. We will be bird watching from the windows that overlook a pond, go over a short power point on identifying birds by time of year and sounds they make, discuss feeders and different types of feed to attract different species of birds and go on a short hike to see what else we can find. Please bring binoculars (we will have some to loan out), decent walking shoes and a smart phone if you wish to download some birding apps to help on your birding adventures. Building is climate controlled with bathrooms available!

St. James, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) & St. James Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a “Beginners Birding Walk” event for families & individuals at St. James Park on April 10, 2027 between 4 – 5:30 PM.

Enjoy a leisurely walk around the St. James Park grounds, observing the birds that use this oasis of varied remnant prairie, riparian zone, open woodlands, savanna, pine forest, and glade. The walk is guided by Missouri Master Naturalists and MDC staff. While geared toward the beginner, birders of all skill levels are welcome. During the walk, bird identification, including old school methods and current apps, will be covered, as well as life history and related citizen-science opportunities. The walk will be on sidewalks, mixed natural surfaces, as well as uneven terrain. Bring binoculars if you have them, because there will be a limited number of binoculars available for use from MDC. Program is limited to 30 registered participants: ages 5 and older.

For more information, contact Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.