Birdwatching

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.

Join Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri River Bird Observatory staff for a fall birding trip with the Missouri Young Birders Club to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, in Boone County. Meet trip leaders at the Katy Trail, McBaine Trailhead. From there, we will use MDC vehicles and carpool to and throughout the Eagle Bluffs CA. Binoculars and field guides will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. All birding levels welcome - from beginners to experienced birders Come enjoy the fall migration and the diverse birdlife at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.

Fall migration is a great time to see both new and familiar birds, but it can be tricky to know what you’re looking at when they are so far away. Join us for a virtual presentation and discover how birds can be identified from their shapes, outlines, flying patterns, and other unique behaviors! This is a beginners’ introduction to identifying birds from a distance with no binoculars required.

This program will be held virtually. A link will be sent both the day before and morning of the program to the email address provided during registration.

As the days get shorter and weather get cooler the summer songbirds begin to fade away. In this evening of birding, we will be searching for birds that decide not to migrate and discuss why they choose to stay.

Everyone, from beginner to pro, is invited on this guided birding adventure. No binoculars? No problem! Binoculars and field guides will be available for those that need them.

From the smallest of hummingbirds to giant ostriches, birds are the only living animals that have feathers! Learn about the various types of feathers found on birds and investigate feather anatomy during this presentation hosted by River Bluffs Audubon Society. All are welcome to attend the Audubon meeting after 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.

Cooler temperatures and southward migrations make fall a great time to go birding. Join a Runge naturalist for a leisurely, guided walk suitable for all experience levels and search for the many bird species at Runge. Binoculars and field guides are available for those that need them. Meet outside the nature center’s front doors. This program is all outdoors, so make sure to dress for the weather.

Do your little ones enjoy being in nature? Appreciate the natural world through a story, songs, movement, and play as you sit under the canopy for a “nature” adventure. Come see the topic we are exploring this month, Fall leaves, birds in the fall, and seasonal changes! We will go on a little walk with flashlights for a scavenger hunt in the park. Younger children and siblings are welcome. Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site, next to the New Comfort Station. Please dress for the weather.

Please register all children 2-7 for this program.

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!

Fall is in full swing; leaves are changing, cooler breezes are starting to blow, and migratory birds are making their yearly appearances. Trail of Tears State Park offers many opportunities to spot these birds in multiple habitats from riparian corridors along the river to oak hickory forest. With some luck we might spot migrating waterfowl moving along the Mississippi Flyway. Participants can expect to shuttle from the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center to the park where we will roam searching for birds at stationary points and a short hike.

No prior birding knowledge or experience is necessary. Hiking conditions will be easy to moderate with gravel and some dirt areas on the trail. Closed toe shoes and long pants are recommended.

Cooler temperatures and southward migrations make fall a great time to go birding. Join a Runge naturalist for a leisurely, guided walk suitable for all experience levels and search for the many bird species at Runge. Binoculars and field guides are available for those that need them. Meet outside the nature center’s front doors. This program is all outdoors, so make sure to 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 40 registered participants: ages 5 and older.

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