National Audubon Society

A Moment of Perspective

On the day after Storm Fern hit our region, I found myself spending part of my morning digging out our sidewalk and a street parking spot. It was a tedious task, to say the least, especially given the bitter cold temperatures. And then I heard them—a flock of geese flying overhead, making haste to points south. That flock was soon followed by another group and then another and then a final.

With their appearance, I was able to turn my mind away from the mundane chore before me and consider their storm-induced predicament. Clearly, they were in search of respite far away from their now snow-packed home and making haste to travel miles to reach a safer haven. My shoveling certainly paled in comparison to their task.

I wondered how far south they had to fly. And would a birder participating in this month’s Great Backyard Bird Count include them on their list? (Below you’ll find information about how you can participate in this fun and important community science project.) Despite the chill in the air, we invite you to participate.

One final note, legislative sessions in both states are now underway. We’ll continue to report on breaking updates via social media and Action Alerts. We hope you will help us advance our work by making your voices heard in Annapolis and Harrisburg.

With thanks,
Suzanne

Brown thrasher in tree. Photo: John Pavan

New Grant will Fund Surveys of At-Risk Marsh Birds and Restoration Progress

A new $790,000 grant from Allen Family Philanthropies will help Audubon monitor declining marsh bird species across the Chesapeake Bay and track how they respond to restoration. This project is a key component of the Audubon-led Marshes for Tomorrow initiative and will primarily focus on the Saltmarsh Sparrow, which nests only in tidal marshes and faces a serious risk of extinction as its habitat is drowned by rising seas and erosion.

With this funding, Audubon and partners will survey marshes and birds, test restoration approaches, and take a closer look at the small-scale habitat features that help breeding birds thrive. These findings will shed light on how marsh fragmentation affects vulnerable species and how restored marshes can change over time, both with and without active intervention.

The grant is part of the Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice, a collaboration between Allen Family Philanthropies and the U.S. National Science Foundation - which supports projects linking scientific research with on-the-ground conservation.

Click here to learn more about the Marshes for Tomorrow initiative. You can read our recent funding announcement here.

Saltmarsh in Maryland. Photo: Sydney Walsh

Male and female Northern cardinal in tree.

Fall in Love With Birds this Valentine’s Day with the Great Backyard Bird Count

From February 13 through February 16, bird enthusiasts of all experience levels are invited to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), including local events and trainings. The count is a global citizen science project led by the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada.

The GBBC is open to anyone, from first-time birdwatchers to seasoned experts. Participants observe and record birds in their backyard, a local park, or any outdoor space. This shared data helps scientists better understand bird populations and distribution across the globe.

To celebrate the count, Audubon Mid-Atlantic is offering several opportunities for the public to get involved throughout the region.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 2-4 p.m., Audubon program manager Damien Ruffner will offer an “Intro to Birding” session at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. The program will cover birding basics like where to look, what equipment to use, and tips for identifying birds.

Saturday, Feb. 14, the John James Audubon Center will host two events. From 9–11 a.m., Audubon Mid-Atlantic and the Elmwood Park Zoo will lead a guided bird count around the center’s grounds. From 11-1 p.m., participants can learn how to submit sightings to eBird and take part in a bird feeder-building workshop. We hope to see you there.

Male and female Northern cardinal in tree. Photo: Donald Wuori

Visit “Take Flight: Birds of the World”, newest art exhibit at the John James Audubon Center

Join Audubon on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 1-3 p.m. for the opening reception of “Take Flight: Birds of the World”. Over 40 regional artists from the Valley Forge Audubon Society will be featured in this exhibit. Meet the artists and enjoy free admission to the entire museum. Some of the artworks will be available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis, with sale arrangements made by individual artists. Any artwork purchases will be available after the exhibition closes on March 29. Admission is free during the opening reception and Sunday mornings from 10am-12pm. At other times, admission to the exhibition is included in the museum ticket price. Visit our website for more information on the event!

Event graphic.

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Nature Journaling at the Discovery Center

Interested in exploring the birds who call our backyards home? Join Audubon on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10-12 p.m. at the Discovery Center in Philadelphia for this event in our Seed Stewards series. Did you know that adding more native plants to our environment is one of the best ways to support them? We will use nature journals to explore and document birds and the plants they rely on at The Discovery Center this winter and make sure they have plenty of food come spring by starting our own native wildflower seedlings. More information and registration for the event on our website.

Birding Tour of Patterson Park in Baltimore

Visit Audubon on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9-10:30 a.m. for this exciting tour of an important migratory stopover spot right in Baltimore City! More than 200 bird species have visited Patterson Park. Audubon and Baltimore Bird Club experts will lead us in search of avian friends. No experience necessary. More information and registration can be found here.

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

© 2026 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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