Events & Calendar
Ongoing
Guided Bird Walks
Monthly bird walks guided by experienced birders are held the first Saturday of each month at the Bluebonnet Swamp and Nature Center, located at 10503 North Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Click here for a map
No registration required. Bring your own binoculars. Meet in the parking lot at 7:00 am. $3 park admission fee.
Quarterly bird walks will be held on second Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to about 11:30. The July walk may take place at 8:00 instead. These "Walks with Audubon" will take place at the Oakley Plantation, Audubon Historic Site, in St. Francisville, LA. Standard entrance fee of $5.00 per person will apply. The walks are led by experienced birders. Emails will be sent out ahead of time as reminder. (See below about joining our mailing list).
Programs
Unless otherwise stated, BR Audubon monthly programs will be held on the last Wednesday of the month (Jan-May, Sept-Dec) in room 102 at the Main Goodwood library in Baton Rouge. The programs are also offered via Zoom. Links to register for the Zoom programs will be sent to our email list and to the LABIRD email list. The program recordings will be stored on our YouTube channel Check back here for month-specific info!
Program dates and subjects
2026 Programs
Sept 30, 2026
Title: Banding Together for Birds: What 15-years of Bird Banding through the Louisiana Bird Observatory has Revealed.
Description: Since 2010, more than 600 volunteers have helped the Louisiana Bird Observatory uncover the hidden lives of Louisiana's birds. What began as a single bird-banding station has grown into a network of research sites, generating over 25,000 banding and recapture records. Join us as we hear from Dr. Erik Johnson, one of the principals of LABO, explore what tiny bands have revealed about the molt, breeding biology, migration, and longevity of the amazing birds that call Louisiana home.
Join us at the Main Baton Rouge library on Goodwood Blvd in Baton Rouge. At 6:30 we will have refreshments and time to socialize. The program will start at 7:00pm. A Zoom option is available. Register here: Zoom program registration
Special Programs
Hummingbird Celebration
We are once again partnering with the LSU Ag Center research station in Hammond to celebrate Ruby-throated hummingbird migration. This event will take place on Sept 19, 2026 at the Research Station (21549 Old Covington Highway, Hammond) from 7:00am to 12 noon. There is no charge to attend. The event will feature:
Hummingbird viewing stations
Hummingbird information tables
Information about plants for hummingbirds with expertise from the Tangipahoa Master Gardener Assoc
Observe hummingbird banding for research
Informational program about hummingbirds
Opportunity to purchase feeders and other merchandise from local specialty stores
Mailing list
Join our mailing list to be notified of our events and activities. Send an email to braudubon+subscribe@groups.io with your name in the body of the message to subscribe to our mailing list.
You can also view our Facebook events page for more information.
KidsWhoBird Club
The KidsWhoBird club is a club designed for kids aged 9-16 who are interested in learning about birds. Monthly meetings will be held at the EBRP Fairview Library (12910 Old Hammond Highway, Baton Rouge) on Sunday afternoons from 2:30 to 4pm. Dates may vary due to holidays and scheduling but advance notice will be given via email. Weather permitting, field trips to local birding sites will be offered. Please email me at education@braudubon.org to be added to my mailing list to receive specifics about meetings.
Kids may join by sending me a request telling me why they want to join. (If your kid is younger than 9 but really into birds, I may grant an exception). A handwritten request is preferable. Drawings are encouraged. Email to education@braudubon.org. All new members will receive a packet of membership material.
You will be added to the mailing list and emailed information about each meeting directly.
LOCATION: Sunday afternoon once a month at Fairview library in Baton Rouge (field trip locations will vary).
BIRDING CLASSES
Beginning Birding Classes are held each spring and fall and taught by Jane Patterson, current President and Education chair for Baton Rouge Audubon Society. This class will cover the basics needed to get into birdwatching. We'll talk about binoculars and field guides and how to choose and use them. We'll talk about how to bring birds to your yard where you can see them up close. And we'll talk about how to take your newfound skills into the field.
2026 Fall Classes
Beginning Birdwatching class.
Sept 21, 28, Oct 12, 19 2026 3 at Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge
4 weekly sessions on Monday afternoons with field trips on following weekends Cost is $50 for everything.
or Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 and Oct 13 at Coquille Park in Covington
Class includes lecture and bird walk at the same location Cost is $50 for everything.
Have you ever seen a bird and wondered "what in the world" is that?!? And then you try to look it up and just get frustrated... If so, this class is for you! The class is taught by Jane Patterson, current President and Education chair for Baton Rouge Audubon Society. This class will cover the basics needed to get into birdwatching. We'll talk about binoculars and field guides and how to choose and use them. We'll do lots of exercises and skill building. And we'll talk about how to take your newfound skills into the field.
NOTE If you have taken this class previously you are welcome to take it again. Beginning in Spring 2026, I will offer a discounted Field Trips Only option for folks that have previously taken the class. In order to reserve a spot, you must register as a class member but I will issue a 50% refund once you've registered. This allows me to manage the total number of people in the class, since field trips are the limiting factor.
The Baton Rouge classes will consist of 4 lectures on a 4 sequential Mondays and then 4 field trips (weather permitting) on the following weekend with the entire class. Please plan to attend all 4 sessions to get the most out of the class. There will be an afternoon class and an evening class Both classes will attend the same field trips. Cost is $50
Class will be limited to 10 people
Class will be held in the large meeting room at Hilltop. Enter Hilltop from Highland road no matter what your GPS tells you!
Field trips will be scheduled for the weekends following the classes at various locations near Baton Rouge. I will have binoculars to loan for the bird walks.
The Covington classes will be held on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 and include both lecture and bird walks at Coquille Park except for the last class.
Cost is $50
Click here to choose a class to register for:
Classes will also be available through the LSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Camellia City chapter. You must be an OLLI member to register. Cost is $25
Classes will be held in Covington at the River Retreat (14253 Highway 190, Covington). The last class will be held at the new Abita Spring Nature Center in Abita Springs.
The classes will be held on 4 consecutive Tuesdays, (Sept 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 2026 1:30pm to 3:00pm
In this 4 part class we will discuss how to make your yard bird-friendly. by providing water and food. We will explore gardening techniques that attract birds, with a focus on attracting hummingbirds. Additionally, we will cover the basics of bird identification, including the use of binoculars, field guides, and the Merlin app. Finally, we will review some of the birds you might encounter in and around your yard.
Registration link will be posted when it's available. Click here to go to OLLI catalog