Beginning Birding Program

Curious about birding but not sure where to begin?

Birding – or the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby – has become one of the most popular outdoor activities.

If you’re taking an interest in birds and looking for help getting started, come develop your skills together with other beginning birders at our Beginning Birding Program. 

Inclusive and affirming

Co-founded and presented by Wake Audubon and Field Inclusive, Inc. in partnership with City of Raleigh Parks our collective mission is to provide safe, equitable and accessible outdoor experiences for everyone. 

Our affirming and inclusive workshops teach these:

  • Basics of bird identification using an easy, graduated step approach
  • How to choose, use and adjust binoculars, 
  • Recommended guides and apps
  • Types of safety and ways to bird safely
  • The importance of inclusion and allyship when birding and recreating in the outdoors.

We’ll spend time outside putting your learning to quick use too. 

No binoculars? No worries. That’s expected. We’ll always have plenty to loan.

Where to register

Offered spring and fall, this free, public program requires registration to ensure we won’t exceed classroom capacity. 

Scheduled workshops will be posted to our Wake Audubon calendar and Meetup and promoted on Wake Audubon, Field Inclusive and City of Raleigh Parks on social media. If you’re new to Meetup, you’ll need to join Meetup, and the Wake Audubon Birding and Environmental Meetup group.

Interested? Let us know.

Want early knowledge of workshops to be posted? Let us know you’d like to be notified when workshops are scheduled by competing this contact form

Serving all in our community

Some programs may cater to affinity groups, to more explicitly explore physical and social safety concerns as relevant to their life experiences as historically excluded and underrepresented members of our community. Partners include the LGBT Center of Raleigh

Private programming is available to your group or organization. 

Reach Wake Audubon Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging co-chair Rick LaRose at [email protected] with any inquiries or questions. 

Come, join in the wonderful world of birding!

Participant testimonials


Let’s Go Birding Together LGBTQ+ and allies bird outings

Founded by Community Education director Jason St. Sauver at Sprint Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Denton, Nebraska, our Let’s Go Birding Together outings are for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. 

Co-led locally by Wake Audubon and Field Inclusive, Inc. in partnership with the LGBT Center of Raleigh, we welcome the LGBTQ+ community and allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor experience that is inclusive. 

Why do we do this? Because the outdoors has not always been a welcoming, safe, place for marginalized members of our community and Wake Audubon, Field Inclusive, and the LGBT Center of Raleigh want to help change that. 

Find seasonal Let’s Go Birding Together outings posted to our Wake Audubon calendar and Meetup, the LGBT Center of Raleigh calendar and Wake Audubon, Field Inclusive and the LGBT Center of Raleigh social media.