People Who are Blind or with Low Vision to Participate in National Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

People Who are Blind or with Low Vision to Participate in National Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

The inaugural Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon will take flight on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Legally blind birders from across the U.S. (and beyond) will step outdoors wherever they are to document the bird species they hear or see. A list of these species will be compiled from across the country, reflecting new and improve bird identification skills by participants.

A national celebration of birds, community, and inclusion. This one-day event marks the first-ever pilot of a national birding event designed specifically by and for legally blind birders—and everyone who is legally blind is invited to join in.

Whether you’re an experienced birder or have never heard of a chickadee, the Blind Birder Bird-a-thon welcomes you. There’s no experience necessary—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to tune into the natural world around you.

“We hope to encourage people who are blind or have low vision to get outdoors and start to pay attention to birds and the natural world,” says Martha Steele, an organizing committee member from Massachusetts who is blind. “Just because we can’t see, or see well, doesn’t mean we can’t become excellent birders. Birding is largely by ear, and we can learn to identify birds by their songs.”

“Birding is about so much more than just hearing or seeing birds,” says Cat Fribley, Executive Director of Birdability, the organization co-hosting the Bird-a-thon. “It’s about listening, connecting, and experiencing joy—together. This event is a way for people who are blind or have low vision to be in community, to celebrate birds and birdsong, and to remind the world that birding truly is for everybody.”

Participants can bird however is accessible and joyful to them—whether listening for birds in a backyard, park, or balcony; joining a group outing; or enjoying a walk outside a few times that day.

Visit the Birdability website at www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon to learn more about resources to get started, to register, or to get your questions answered.

Note: Birdability is a nonprofit working to make birding and the outdoors accessible and inclusive for everyone, especially those with disabilities and health concerns. Join us in creating a more welcoming birding community! Learn more or support our mission by donating at Birdability.org.

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A local Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon event will be starting at Birchim Canyon at 8:30 on May 18. Contact trip leader Edie Trimmer at 801-597-2104 for info on registering and directions to Birchim Canyon.

News Staff