Birding Walks
Discover and learn about some of the wild birds that visit the Zoo!
Join one of our Education Department’s 'bird nerds' as you stroll the grounds from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., visiting the “birdiest” areas on Zoo grounds before it opens to the general public. We will help you identify our local feathered friends and submit a checklist to eBird at the end of our walk. Birders of all skill levels are able to participate and enjoy the experience.
Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from us. These birding walks are appropriate for adults and kids ages 7 and up. They are limited to 10 people, so sign up early!
Registration is $10 for members and $20 for non-members, and includes Zoo admission so you can stay and watch birds even after the program!
About the Instructors:
Leigh Spencer is the Great Plains Zoo's Education & Engagement Manager and an avid birder. She has been birding for 20+ years, traveling all over the country and even internationally to search for birds. Leigh currently has 554 North American birds on her life list, with another 328 observed outside of the U.S.
Katy Carchedi always enjoyed looking at wildlife, but after taking an ornithology class in college, she took identifying birds up as a hobby. After college she has kept up with birding especially in an urban environment. Katy is originally from Boston so she knows a lot of east coast birds but has enjoyed getting new birds for her list while living in Sioux Falls.