Nature Activities
Mass Audubon's Birdapalooza
A Spring Celebration of Birds, May 15-17
What better way is there to celebrate the return of warblers, orioles, thrushes, swallows and more than with a weekend birding celebration full of programs, events, and ways to support the birds you love!
Join the festivities at a wildlife sanctuary, where you can take your birding to the next level.
Bird With an Expert
Beginners and seasoned birders alike benefit from learning from our naturalists at one of the many birding programs hosted by Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries across the state.
Look for colorful warblers, elusive rails, and familiar favorites. Each species seen will get tallied and count toward our collective goal of seeing at least 200 different species.
Upcoming Programs
More Birdapalooza ProgramsHere is a sampling of programs we have planned. See all the weekend's programs by clicking more Birdapalooza programs.
Birding at Pike's Pond
-
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
-
Friday, May 15
7:00-8:30am
Adults
Birding by Ear
-
Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Cummaquid
-
Friday, May 15
8:00-9:00am
Adults
Bird Research in Action: Bird Banding at Wellfleet Bay
-
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, South Wellfleet
-
Friday, May 15
8:30-9:30am
Adults & Families - 8 - 17
Birding 101
-
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon
-
Friday, May 15
9:30-11:00am
Families - children 8 - 17
Evening Paddle for Rails
-
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
-
Friday, May 15
6:00-8:00pm
Adults
In Search of Whip-poor-wills
-
Marconi Wireless Station, Wellfleet
-
Friday, May 15
7:00-8:30pm
Adults
Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary
Head to any of our nature centers to pick up a bird bingo card to discover the wildlife around you in a whole new way! Or stop by one of the wildlife sanctuaries below, which are offering special Birdapalooza-themed activities. Click each one to see what they have planned.
Sanctuaries Hosting Special Birdapalooza Activities
Saturday, May 16
8:00-10:00 am
Together with staff and other bird enthusiasts, take part in a Little Sit, where will see how many different bird species we can see and hear from an accessible, stationary location.
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Ask your burning birding questions, receive an orientation to birding at Arcadia, explore binoculars and field guides, and get your photographs or observations identified by a friendly bird expert!
1:00-3:00 pm
Visit the Art House to create a bird-themed craft with the assistance of our volunteers. All materials will be provided.
Saturday, May 16
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Visit the nature center to get up close with some of our bird wildlife ambassadors as you discover their unique adaptations, habits, and habitats.
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Stop by the nature center to discover the world of birds. Explore bird biofacts, nests, and birdsongs, and make a bird‑themed craft to take home.
Sunday, May 17
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Stop by the nature center to discover the world of birds. Explore bird biofacts, nests, and birdsongs, and make a bird‑themed craft to take home.
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Visit the nature center to get up close with some of our bird wildlife ambassadors as you discover their unique adaptations, habits, and habitats.
Saturday, May 16, 2:30-4:00 pm
Take part in a Little Sit at Deer Pond and count as many birds as you can! This activity is accessible for all ages and abilities—feel free to bring your own seat, we will also have seats available.
Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Get creative with bird art activities, join spotting scope and binocular demonstrations outside the Mass Audubon Shop and grab a bird-themed bingo card to bring on your adventures.
9:30-11:30 am and 1:00-2:30 pm
Head over to Bird Hill and get to know our resident birds with a naturalist.
10:00-11:00 am, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, 1:30-2:30 pm, 3:00-4:00 pm
Meet one of our hawk or owl Wildlife Ambassadors at the Farm Life Center and learn all about their amazing adaptations.
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Observe as our staff feed the birds on Bird Hill and learn what different species eat.
11:30 am-12:30 pm and 3:00-4:00 pm
Visit stations by the chicken coop to interact with model eggs and other interactive activities.
Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17
10:00-11:00 am and 1:00-2:00 pm
Enjoy a free guided walk to the Rockery, a large stone grotto built along a beautiful pond more than 100 years ago. This casual walk will last about an hour, and involves going down stairs and traversing a wooden boardwalk.
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Create bird-themed crafts at the Nature Center and head to North Field, where nature guides will be on hand with binoculars and a spotting scope.
Sunday, May 17, 1:00 pm
Head to the Barn for a free Big Year presentation by volunteer and experienced birder Gino Ellison. Gino will share what it’s like to spend an entire year observing as many different bird species as possible in a particular geographic area.
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
A Family Open House offers opportunities to look for birds from the 2nd floor bird blind, learn how to “band a bird” and why this research matters, experience the life of a Piping Plover in a feeding challenge, and meet live crabs, sea urchins, moon snails and more from our aquarium tanks.
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Hear a Gold Award Girl Scout present her Barn Swallow conservation project and get an inspiring, up-close look at youth-driven wildlife conservation in action.
Saturday, May 16, 8:00-10:00 am
As part of a Little Sit, gather with staff and other bird enthusiasts to observe the abundant bird life in the nearby meadows and woods from a location on the accessible All Persons Trail.
Saturday, May 16
9:00-11:00 am
Take part in a Bird Sit, where we’ll observe and identify as many bird species as possible by sight and sound from an accessible, stationary location. Please check in at the front desk upon arrival, where you’ll be directed to the observation area.
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Take to the trails at Wellfleet Bay, where spotting scopes at scenic overlooks let you zoom in on wildlife. Knowledgeable Volunteer Naturalists will be nearby to help you spot, identify, and learn more about the animals you encounter.
1:00-3:00 pm
Get creative and make a colorful bird masterpiece at this family-friendly craft station. With stencils, paint rollers, and a fun, squishy “gelli” plate, you’ll experiment with textures and colors—and head home with your very own avian artwork.
Sunday, May 18
1:00-3:00 pm
Enjoy up-close views of the sanctuary's bustling bird feeders and lively water features from the comfort of our cozy seating area. Chat with a friendly volunteer naturalist to ask questions, identify species, and uncover fun facts about the birds and other local wildlife you spot.
Our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries provide ideal habitat for Massachusetts birdlife. Find a sanctuary near you, or discover a new favorite, for self-guided birdwatching.
Make an Impact
Birdapalooza is a celebration of birds and birding—but it’s also a moment to support the work that makes those experiences possible.
Your gift supports Mass Audubon’s work across the state—from protecting bird habitats and advancing conservation science to offering the sanctuary programs and experiences that connect people to birds.
Here’s how your support can make a difference:
- $50: Helps introduce people to birds through community programs and guided experiences
- $150: Supports the care and stewardship of bird habitats at local wildlife sanctuaries
- $250: Advances bird conservation efforts across Massachusetts
Up Your Birding Game
Whether you’re birding with us or on your own, these resources will help keep things in focus.
Gear Up
Find everything you need from field guides to binoculars at the Mass Audubon Shop.
A Note on Bird-a-thon
If you were one of our past Bird-a-thoners who spent 24 hours helping your team spot the most birds, you may be wondering what happened to the coveted Brewster Cup. Bird-a-thon brought birders, nature-lovers, and families together to celebrate nature and raise funds that provide essential year-round support for Mass Audubon's conservation, nature education, and advocacy work.
This year, we’re doing all that and more, just without team-based competition. We encourage you to embody the spirit of the Brewster Cup by continuing to bird at our sanctuaries, inviting new birders into this rewarding hobby, and donating to support the birds you love.
Stay Connected
Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.