National Audubon Society

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Seasonal shifts

It’s time to put those plans into action.

This is the thought that pops into my head every September. There’s a palpable shift of seasons as the shadows grow longer every evening and the afternoon light softens in the trees. The long and carefree summer days when it seems smarter to dream than to do anything truly taxing are behind me. It’s time to move again.

Birds are moving too. Species that we haven’t seen in a few months are now appearing in woods, lakes and meadows. I hear geese overhead and I see goldfinches in my backyard cluster of coneflowers. More will follow. More will delight. More will signal that it’s time for us to prepare for winter too.

As you’ll read below, Audubon staff have spent many a summer day planning many fall events for you bird lovers. Thanks to their hard work, there will be a lot of opportunities to learn about migration, habitat restoration and how birds need us in order to thrive. We also invite you to visit the Audubon website (www.audubon.org) to learn more about birds and then head outside on your own this fall to witness their wonder.

Those winter preparations can wait.

--Suzanne

Swainson's thrush in tree. Photo: James Monfils

Pennsylvania I Bird I Vote Conservation and Policy Summit

Audubon Mid-Atlantic's inaugural Pennsylvania I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit will take place from the afternoon of Friday, October 24th until Saturday October 25th at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. This event will explore the challenges facing birds and the places that they need to survive and present solutions for attendees to consider. We will learn from Pennsylvania’s environmental champions and will share ideas and experiences from Audubon leaders in the commonwealth.

During the sessions, you will:

Hear from Lisa Williams, Wildlife Recovery Division Chief of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who will be delivering the keynote address discussing the State Wildlife Action Plan and the Game Commission’s efforts to increase bird habitat across the state;

Learn from Pennsylvania’s environmental and legislative leaders including Evan Endres, Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Director of Government Relations and Policy, and David Masur, PennEnvironment Executive Director;

Discuss how Pennsylvania factors into federal policy impacts with Audubon Senior Director of Climate Policy Jesse Walls of Audubon and National Parks Conservation Association Senior Program Manager Rebecca Reber;

Engage with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Audubon chapters, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, and members from across the state.

There will be an optional field trip on Friday morning for those arriving early; it will be led by a team of Audubon's forestry and conservation experts. The registration fee for both days is $125 and includes all conference sessions, the Friday field trip, a group dinner on Friday, Saturday breakfast and lunch, as well as coffee and snacks on both days. More information about the summit is available on the registration page. See you in October!

Event information.

Group of birders at Philadelphia Birding Weekend

Audubon’s Philadelphia Birding Weekend Returns for Its Fourth Year!

Join us this October for the return of Philadelphia Birding Weekend, an annual event celebrating the city’s birdwatching scene and green spaces. From Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12, birders and nature enthusiasts of all ages are invited to discover both familiar and new locations across Philadelphia during the height of fall migration.

As thousands of birds journey through the Mid-Atlantic region, Philadelphia’s parks, trails, and waterways become living classrooms. Whether you're a seasoned birder, a new naturalist, or a family seeking a fun outdoor experience, there’s something for everyone! Take a scenic paddle on the Strawberry Mansion reservoir, introduce young children to the joys of birdwatching at The Woodlands, or explore hidden birding gems in Fairmount Park.

Celebrate our local birds and nature around Philadelphia’s landscapes during this exciting weekend. Trip details and event registration is now available on our website here. See you in a few weeks at Philadelphia Birding Weekend!

Group of birders at Philadelphia Birding Weekend

Community Day at the John James Audubon Center and Discovery Day at the Discovery Center

Community Day at the John James Audubon Center takes place this year on Sunday, September 21st. As migration hits its peak, Community Day celebrates birds' unique ability to connect communities across the Americas. Attendees can enjoy food, drinks, and music by DJ Valentin, along with a variety of festivities including traditional folk dancers, salsa and bachata lessons, songbird-themed activities for kids, face painting, food trucks, local breweries, canoeing, and more! A special art exhibition showcasing works inspired by the vibrant colors of the Scarlet Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, and Wood Thrush will also debut. The exhibition features paintings, watercolors, photographs, and sculptures created by local community art circles and Las Artivistas from CCATE (Center of Culture, Art, Training, and Education). For more details and the schedule of events, please visit our website.

And don’t miss the 7th Annual Discovery Day, hosted by Audubon Mid-Atlantic, the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, and The Discovery Center! This special event on September 27^th celebrates the local communities of Strawberry Mansion and North Philadelphia. Discovery Day will be a fun-filled experience for all ages, featuring live music, bird tours, tower tours, outdoor activities, and more. Join us from 8:00am until 4:00pm for a celebration of nature, community, and connection! More information and a schedule of events available here.

Group of people birdwatching.

New This Fall - Lakeland Park (Baltimore) Bird Tour

In spring of 2025, Audubon’s Baltimore team worked closely with Baltimore City Department of Rec & Parks’ Forestry and Trails teams, UMBC, and community partners to implement phase I of a forest restoration project in Lakeland Park. We removed invasives, planted natives, and overhauled the forest edge to create a healthier forest habitat for migratory birds. These and other improvements benefit people as well. Thanks to input from park neighbors and BCRP’s Trails crew, there is now a wide, mulched, and winding trail through the forest that allows visitors to enjoy the restored habitat as well as newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses. Next on the list are benches and bilingual signage, plus additional plantings in phase II of the restoration of Lakeland Park’s forest.

We welcome you to see it for yourself at our October 18 bird tour, which will take place in Lakeland Park.

Lakeland Park forest trail.

Fall Migration is underway – Here's how you can help

Fall migration is already underway in parts of the country, and in just a few short weeks, hundreds of millions of birds will be passing through the Mid-Atlantic region on their way to their seasonal habitats for the cooler months. You can make a difference right from your own backyard. One simple but impactful step is participating in local “Lights Out” efforts by turning off exterior lights between midnight and 6am from August 15th through November 15th.

Programs in cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and others across the Mid-Atlantic offer helpful resources to guide you in protecting birds during this critical time. By dimming or switching off unnecessary outdoor lighting, you reduce the risk of birds becoming disoriented by artificial light - a major cause of fatal window collisions during migration. Learn more about the Lights Out program and consider taking the residential pledge to support our migrating bird populations this season!

Broad-winged hawk in tree. Photo: Tom Skala

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Birding by Canoe at the John James Audubon Center

Visit Audubon on Thursday, September 18th from 5:00pm until 6:30pm for an evening paddle on the gentle waters of the Lower Perkiomen and discover the many birds that depend on its riparian habitat. You’ll learn about the valuable resources the Creek provides to a variety of wildlife, and why protecting the Delaware River Watershed and its tributaries is good for people too. Take it Outdoors, our amazing “Birding by Canoe” partner, will get us started with a safety briefing and will be on the water with us to assist and help you hone your paddling skills. More information available on our website.

Birding Tour of Druid Hill Park in Baltimore

Don’t miss this exciting search for autumn species on Saturday, September 20th from 8:00am until 9:30am in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park! Druid Hill Park is Baltimore's oldest large park and is home to 745 acres of forests, fields, and a large lake. 189 species of birds have been documented here, including nesting Baltimore orioles and yellow-crowned night herons. Audubon and Baltimore Bird Club experts will lead us in search of avian friends! No experience necessary. More info here.

CONNECT WITH US

Audubon Mid-Atlantic
3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(610) 990-3431 | audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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