Let’s Go Birding Together

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) welcomes everyone for a birdwatching outing on Saturday, June 25th, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

This “Let’s Go Birding Together” event will be a safe, affirming space for LGBTQIA++ community members of any level of birding knowledge! Our SCVAS leaders will point out birds, enthusiastically identify them and share their knowledge about the birds. All ages, allies, and families are welcome, but youth under 18 years should be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Loaner binoculars will be available.

People of all backgrounds and perspectives love birds. Let’s Go Birding Together specifically welcomes the LGBTQ+ community and creates a safe and inclusive space for everyone to participate in birding and enjoy the joys of nature.

Join us during Pride Month and beyond! And… Let’s Go Birding Together!

• Visit the SCVAS Nature Shop https://scvas.org/nature-shop featuring many birding-related items, including Let’s Go Birding Together merchandise with t-shirts and more. (Check the website for the current Nature Shop hours under County Covid guidelines.)

• “Queer Birds: Community Inclusion, Community Building, and Community Science.” View the recording of this June 2, 2021 talk by Jennifer Rycenga at the SCVAS Speaker Series. Local Bay Area birder Jennifer Rycenga is one of the founders of QBNA - Queer Birders of North America. This group built up a community which addresses feeling unsafe in the field, celebrates birding knowledge, and enjoys solidarity with many non-LGBT+ birders. This model of open, accepting community parallels the 21st century growth in Community Science projects like eBird, iNaturalist, and the BioBlitz movement. 

• Join with other LGBT+ birders in the online community QBNA - Queer Birders of North America https://www.facebook.com/groups/80840538462. This Facebook group connects birders from across North America and on occasion, for in-person birding events.

• Join SCVAS for our walks, programs and events!

  • Self-guided field trips: Learn about a birding spot, facilities, what you might see--and go birding any time!

  • Bird walks and field trips: In ordinary times, SCVAS regularly leads bird walks where all are welcomed. We hope to resume in-person events soon.

  • Birding classes: We have videos posted to our YouTube channel, and SCVAS Director Matthew Dodder periodically offers instructional classes.

  • Calendar: Take a peek at upcoming events including our Speaker Series and programs from the Bay Area Bird Photographers

• Learn more about the national Audubon Society’s Let’s Go Birding Together programs:

  • Let’s Go Birding Together (National)

  • For the LGBTQ Community, Birding Can Be a Relief—and a Source of Anxiety

  • In Vermont, a Popular Program Seeks to Make Hiking as Inclusive as Possible

Banner Photo credit: Snowy Plover by Steve Zamek, photo illustration by Alex Tey