Education Programs

Audubon Society of Forsyth County is always open to opportunities to educate the public at large about birds, birding and bird habitat. Our Education Chair and other chapter members can offer nature walks, photo presentations and children's activities for schools, day camps, church groups, garden clubs and parks.

The chapter also leads a bird walk at a local park on the Second Saturday of every month. Everyone is welcome, novice or expert, young or old - see our Calendar for walks and times.

Pilot Mountain Hawk Watch

Each September, Audubon Society of Forsyth County sponsors an annual Hawk Watch at Pilot Mountain State Park. We observe and count thousands of raptors, most of them Broad-winged Hawks, as they migrate from their northern breeding grounds. Check out our Hawk Watch page.

Swift Watch

Each September, thousands of migrating Chimney Swifts stop at roosts in chimneys at older schools, factory warehouses and other public buildings in Forsyth County. The birds are on their way to South America, but they take their time to feed and build up energy for the long trip. Individual roosts can total several thousand birds. On September 15, at 7 p.m., the chapter will host a swift watch in downtown Winston-Salem, location to be chosen by the birds. They do not pick the same place every year, so we will have to seek it out and let you know. Meanwhile, visit our Swift Watch page for more information.

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual event sponsored by the Cornell Lab or Ornithology. Across the nation and beyond, thousands of birders and birdwatchers take part, reporting the birds they see to a database maintained by the Lab. This year, the count will be held February 12 - 15.

Forsyth County consistently has some of the highest participation both in North Carolina and the entire nation. The count is fun, and local birders enjoy a little competition with other North Carolina communities. In 2009, Winston-Salem residents reported 98 species, including our rare Tufted Duck. Charlotte led the state with 99. Snow, ice and cold made the birding much more difficult in 2010. Especially because many ducks had moved further south and east, we recorded only 80 species - still a respectable number and good enough for fourth place in the state.

More Programs and Activities

Watch this space for additional information about our chapter's programs. Also, check the Field Trips section for the lowdown on exciting ASFC excursions both local and regional, and check the Calendar for monthly meeting info and important club dates. For information on our Important Bird Areas and local habitat protection efforts, see our Conservation page.