San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and Columbia Lakes Natural Area

Photo: Sean Fitzgerald

Spring migration is underway. Across the country, millions of birds are on the move—traveling thousands of miles and stopping to rest and refuel along the way.

Many of those stopping points are places Trust for Public Land has helped protect.

For more than 50 years, TPL has conserved forests, coastlines, grasslands, mountains, and parks that serve as critical habitats along migratory routes.

These places aren’t just beautiful—they’re essential. Wild bird populations in the United States and Canada have dropped by nearly one-third since 1970, largely due to habitat loss.

From coastal refuges in Maine to river corridors in Georgia and desert landscapes in New Mexico, TPL has helped protect places where birds thrive.

SEE BIRDING SPOTS WE’VE HELPED PROTECT

This weekend, some of our team will be out early—binoculars in hand—birding at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, which TPL helped expand by adding more than 250 acres.

Here’s what’s inspiring our TPL birders:

Keith Maley: "When I was four years old, I saw my spark bird. It was a ring-necked pheasant (shown above) under my neighbor Mary's bird feeder. I am obsessed with their colors, size, and tameness."

Ronda Lee Chapman: "My favorite bird is the northern flicker (shown above). They are abundant in Denver and visit me often throughout my days. I love their call and how beautiful they are."

Taj Schottland: "Hearing bird song has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. And new research this year shows that learning about birds and becoming an expert birder can 'reshape your brain and might help protect it from aging.'"

Jeff Danter: "My favorite TPL-protected birding spot is the Chattahoochee RiverLands. This green oasis that runs through the heart of suburban Atlanta is a natural migration corridor that fills with the songs of hundreds of species every spring."

Photos Flickr: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Mary Shattock, Shawn Taylor

For our birders, it’s not just about what they see—it’s about slowing down and experiencing these places in a deeper way. Want to give it a try?

Whether you’re an experienced birder or just getting started, there’s a whole world to discover right outside your door.

LET'S GO BIRDING!

This Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day, and people around the world will be stepping outside to observe birds as part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Global Big Day.

Step outside. Listen. Look up. You might be surprised by what you find.

See you out there,

Your friends at Trust for Public Land

How often do you notice birds where you live?

🐦 Every day!

🦉 Sometimes.

🪺 I'd like to start.

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