Let’s Go Birding Together

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) invites everyone to join us in birdwatching, protecting habitat, and in a delight in birds.  Let’s Go Birding Together specifically welcomes the LGBTQ+ community, their allies, and families and creates a safe and inclusive space for everyone to participate in birding and enjoy the joys of nature.  Periodically, SCVAS offers field trips and other bird-related events designed to be a safe, affirming space for LGBTQIA++ community members of any level of birding knowledge.

  • Queers of a Feather LGBT+ Birding Events with POST Come birding with POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust) and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and meet other queers of a feather! Whether you are experienced or completely new to birding, these events provide a fun opportunity to get out in nature, gain a bird’s eye view of species found locally, and find your flock.  

    Queers of a Feather are LGBTQ-centered events led by LGBTQ-identifying facilitators with the purpose of creating a welcoming and inclusive space for queer community members to gather and develop a sense of belonging in the outdoors. While allies are welcome to attend, please be mindful that space is limited.

    Learn more and register for upcoming Queers of a Feather field trips here.

  • “Queer Birds: Community Inclusion, Community Building, and Community Science.” View the recording of this June 2, 2021 talk by Jennifer Rycenga at the SCVAS Speaker Series. Local Bay Area birder Jennifer Rycenga is one of the founders of QBNA - Queer Birders of North America. This group built up a community which addresses feeling unsafe in the field, celebrates birding knowledge, and enjoys solidarity with many non-LGBT+ birders. This model of open, accepting community parallels the 21st century growth in Community Science projects like eBird, iNaturalist, and the BioBlitz movement. 

  • Queer is Natural View the recording of this June 5, 2024 talk with Dr Christine Wilkinson and our friends at POST. This talk explores the many instances of queer behavior across the animal kingdom. SCVAS is a proud partner with POST in celebrating diversity in our community.

  • Queer Birders of North America Join a community that’s all about celebrating birding and supporting the queer community! This online community will connect you with fellow queer birders, addressing issues like feeling safe in the field, sharing knowledge, and building a community. Learn more and join the group here.

  • Nature Shop Visit our nature shop at McClellan Ranch Preserve to find gear to show of your Pride as a birder and member of the LGBTQ+ community! Shop hours are 10am-4:30pm Monday - Thursday, and 10am-1pm Friday.

Banner Photo credit: Snowy Plover by Steve Zamek, photo illustration by Alex Tey