Field Trips
Sunday, January 1, 2023
1st Day Hike at Rock Bridge Memorial SP: January 1, 2023, 2:30-4:30pm
2:30-4:30pm
Celebrate the New Year with the Columbia Audubon Society by joining an afternoon birding hike at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park on January 1st, 2023. We’ll walk the Grassland Trail from 2:30–4:30 p.m., exploring the mixed grassland, shrub, and forest-edge habitats to look for sparrows, raptors, and any other fauna or flora of interest. We’ll
Read MoreSaturday, March 7, 2026
Twilight Timberdoodle Trek at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
Join us for the 2026 edition of the Timberdoodle Trek! Early spring is the time to enjoy the fascinating twilight mating displays of the American woodcock (a.k.a. timberdoodle). This year, we have permission from the Missouri DNR to linger after sunset at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park‘s High Ridge Trail to (hopefully) enjoy this annual
Read MoreSunday, March 15, 2026
Heron Rookery Count at Gans Creek Recreation Area
8:00 AM
We will do our annual trip to the Heron Rookery to count returning birds and the number of nests available. We have kept records of their return for the past 11 years, always on March 15. This field trip has been dubbed the “Ides of March” trip. The beginner mountain bike trail is complete in
Read MoreSaturday, March 28, 2026
Saturday Afternoon Birding at Alspaugh Park
1 PM
Meet at parking area indicated on map
Join us on a field trip to one of the City of Columbia’s newest parks! Alspaugh Park is a 201-acre property where the City of Columbia, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Columbia Audubon are collaborating. Expect to spend up to 2 hours walking about 2 miles across diverse upland habitats. Wild turkeys, woodpecker, hawks, and
Read MoreFriday, April 3, 2026
First Friday Bird Hike: 3M Wetlands
8:00 AM
Meet in parking lot of Songbird Station
First Friday Fun! Join the Columbia Audubon Society for a bird walk. This walk is open to anyone who enjoys birds, and beginners are encouraged to attend. We will walk at the 3M Wetland Trail, just off the MKT Trail near Forum Blvd. We’ll meet at the Songbird Station parking lot (map) at 8 a.m.
Read MoreSaturday, April 11, 2026
Shorebirds and a Social: Katy Trail and Cooper’s Landing
Field trip: 1 PM; Social: ~3 PM
Field trip will start at the McBaine Access of the Katy Trail
Join Columbia Audubon for a hybrid field trip and social event featuring a couple sections of the Katy Trail and Cooper’s Landing! Feel free to attend the field trip, the social, or both! Our first birding location will be Columbia Wetland Unit #1, assuming water levels are suitable for shorebirds and/or waterfowl. We will meet
Read MoreTuesday, April 28, 2026
Swift Night Out: A Tour of Bird-Friendly Chimneys in Downtown Columbia
7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
Meet at corner of 6th and Cherry St (in front of the parking garage)
Join us to explore the architecture of downtown Columbia from the perspective of Chimney Swifts, and to watch for possible roosting activity during spring migration. These fascinating birds use open chimneys as overnight roost sites, otherwise remaining in constant flight. Trip leaders Eric & Joanna Reuter have observed flocks of swifts roosting in chimneys on
Read MoreFriday, May 1, 2026
First Friday Bird Hike: 3M Wetlands
8:00 AM
Meet in parking lot of Songbird Station
First Friday Fun! Join the Columbia Audubon Society for a bird walk. This walk is open to anyone who enjoys birds, and beginners are encouraged to attend. We will walk at the 3M Wetland Trail, just off the MKT Trail near Forum Blvd. We’ll meet at the Songbird Station parking lot (map) at 8 a.m.
Read MoreSunday, May 10, 2026
May 2026 Potluck and Bird Walk at Bonnie View and CANS
Bird walk at 3:30 PM, Potluck at 5:30 PM
Meet at Bonnie View Shelter
Join Columbia Audubon for its annual May potluck picnic! Starting at the Bonnie View shelter (directions), we will be leading a pre-potluck bird walk to the Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary. The potluck will commence at 5:30 PM! Bring a dish to share and your own beverages; note that alcohol is not allowed at Bonnie View.
Read More