As the weather cools, a lot of birds are passing through or settling in for winter. The Baton Rouge Audubon Society wants to help you give them a reason to stop in your yard.

Building a Bird-Friendly Backyard, Nov. 16

On Monday, Nov. 16, the society hosts "Building a Bird-Friendly Backyard" at the Main Baton Rouge Library on Goodwood Boulevard. Refreshments and social time start at 6:30 p.m., and the program starts at 7 p.m.

The speakers are Gina Pirou, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, and Deborah Gurtner. They'll cover how food, water, native plants and nesting sites can bring a wider variety of birds to your yard, and which birds you might see through the year. Can't make it in person? A Zoom option is available through the society's registration link, and past programs are posted on its YouTube channel.

More Ways to Get Outside With Birders

Walks with Audubon. On a quarterly second-Saturday schedule, experienced birders lead walks at the Audubon State Historic Site (Oakley) in St. Francisville, usually from 9 to about 11:30 a.m. The site's standard $5 entrance fee applies.

KidsWhoBird Club. Young birders meet one Sunday afternoon a month at the Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary in Prairieville. Families can email [email protected] to join the list and get each month's time and topic.

Beginning Birdwatching. Society president Jane Patterson teaches a four-week class with weekend field trips. The spring 2027 Baton Rouge session will be at Hilltop Arboretum, costs $50 and is capped at 10 people. Dates are still to be announced.

Stay in the Loop

To join the mailing list, email [email protected] with your name in the body. Programs usually fall on the last Wednesday of the month, so watch for updates.

Bring a notebook on the 16th. Your feeder will thank you.