Montgomery Parks Highlights Making Birdwatching Accessible to All During Birdability Week

People of all abilities are invited to participate in the popular hobby, October 15-22, 2023 

 Montgomery Parks is calling all experienced and novice birders to participate in its Birdability Week events October 15-21. This is the fourth annual Birdability Week, a national event designed to celebrate the beauty of birds and promote the accessibility of the hobby for everyone, including those with disabilities and or health concerns.

“Birdability Week aims to foster an inclusive environment within the birding community, promoting a welcoming atmosphere for everyone,” said Ashlyn Thompson, Montgomery Parks Inclusion and Community Outreach Specialist. “Birding has been a popular hobby for many people. Birdability Week provides the resources to make this hobby more accessible and inclusive within our parks.”

One example of equipment that could help some is EnChromaglasses. The special glasses allow colorblind people to see colors more distinctly and enhance the birdwatching experience. The glasses are available to borrow for events at Montgomery Parks by request to Program Access. The EnChroma glasses will be available for demonstration at the Birdability Week kickoff event. Birdability Week Activities: 

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Birdability Week Kickoff   | 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Ray’s Meadow Local Park
Discover the diverse bird species that call Montgomery Parks home in this fun-filled afternoon. Participants will also learn about the services provided to make birding accessible, like our new EnChroma glasses. Select volunteers will be able to try out the glasses on the day of the event.

Monday, October 16, 2023 

 Visit a Vulture | 12:30-1:00 p.m.| Meadowside Nature Center
Come by our nature play space and watch Gilly the Vulture train with her caretakers. Ask questions, volunteer in a training session or just enjoy the program.

 Birdability Chat | 1:30-2:30 | Meadowside Nature Center
Visit Meadowside Nature Center for an informative chat with a Birdability representative.  Topics include how to make birding accessible, and what makes birding so appealing to so many.

 Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Montgomery Parks Speaker Series: Access Birding | 1:00-2:30 p.m.| Register here
Join our Zoom session to hear an expert from Access Birding discuss the joys of birding, its adaptability for people of different abilities and what everyone can do to help make birding accessible.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023   

Never Grow Up Social for ages 55+ | 10:00-11:30 a.m. |
Agricultural History Farm Park
A captivating bird-watching experience at the Agricultural History Farm Park. Explore the park’s diverse habitats and learn to identify different bird species while enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Registration required.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Beginning Birding for Every Body | 9:00-10:00 a.m.| Brookside Nature Center 
A Parks naturalist demonstrates the basics of birding on our frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. Our wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible to all. Ages 18+ Registration required.

Birding Sit and Sip (Morning) | 10:00 a.m.-Noon | Locust Grove Nature Center.
Join us on our back deck as we look and listen for birds that visit the feeders. We will also be serving snacks and beverages. Ages 18+ Registration required.

Birding Sit and Sip (Afternoon) | 2:00-4:00 p.m. | Locust Grove Nature Center
Observe birds that visit the bird feeders. Snacks will be served. Ages 5 + Registration required.

Information on all the birdability activities is available on Montgomery Parks Birdability Week webpage 

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of birding activities on October 15th, from 11 am to 2 pm at Ray's Meadow Local Park! We'll have our new EnChroma glasses for color blindness available for select volunteers to try out. Learn more: https://t.co/RzytbWrOEe pic.twitter.com/61yY5IfuOu

— Montgomery Parks (@MontgomeryParks) October 3, 2023