Lehigh Valley Zoo Birding Club
Introducing the Lehigh Valley’s Zoo newest wildlife experience: the Lehigh Valley Zoo Birding Club!
Sign up today to join our flock this fall.
The LVZoo Birding Club is a unique opportunity to observe wildlife both in nature and up close at the zoo. This club is perfect for all those who are interested in birdwatching—any experience level is welcome!
Here at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, the early bird truly does get the worm. Our Birding Club will run before the zoo opens on Saturday mornings from 8:00-10:00am. Each week, you will join an Education Specialist on a guided nature hike through the beautiful trails of Trexler Nature Preserve, a perfect birdwatching spot! You will learn about bird behavior and conservation from our knowledgeable educators as well as have hands on experiences building nest boxes, dissecting owl pellets, viewing educational BioFacts, and more. There will also be several opportunities to meet our various ambassador birds up close!
The Lehigh Valley Zoo Birding Club will run for 6 weeks every Saturday beginning September 26, 2020 until November 7, 2020 (no program on Saturday, October 10).
Registration per day is $35 per person. The registration price includes admission to the zoo. Or, become a Flock Member and register for all 6 weeks at a discounted price of $190. Members of the Lehigh Valley Zoo receive an additional discount to their registration.
All proceeds from the program will support the continued care of our Ambassador animals.
To maximize the experience, the program is capped at 20 participants. Make sure to register before spots fill up!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring with me?
- We encourage you to bring your own pair of binoculars if you already have them; however, the purchasing of binoculars is not required. We have a select number of small binoculars available for participants that will be sanitized between uses.
- We also encourage you to bring field guides if you own any. We do have several guide books available for participant viewing.
- Please feel free to bring your own notebook and pen to record your bird observations. Composition notebooks will be provided to all attendees.
- You may also wish to bring a camera to photograph any wildlife we encounter on the trails.
- We recommend wearing comfortable walking/hiking shoes (closed toed shoes required) and bringing a small daypack to hold water, a hat, bug repellant, sunscreen, and any other items you may wish to bring.
- Face coverings are required.
How strenuous are the nature hikes?
While we do not anticipate traveling on very challenging trails, we do ask that all participants are comfortable with walking on multi-use trails of varying terrains and inclines. We also do not anticipate walking at a very rapid pace, but rather more of a leisurely birdwatching stroll.
What ambassador birds will I get to see?
While we cannot guarantee specific bird species due to the continuously changing needs of our animals, our ambassador bird species do include several native raptors, West African Crowned Crane, African Black-Footed Penguin, and the African Grey Parrot.
Will I get to touch or directly interact with the ambassador birds?
For the safety of our animals and educators, participants will not get to touch or hold our ambassador birds. You will get an amazing close-up view of them and learn about their natural history from our Education Specialists. You are more than welcome to take pictures (no flash photography please).
There is also the potential to view the behind-the-scenes area where our Education ambassador raptors live.
What birds will I see on the trails?
We cannot guarantee the sighting of any specific bird or wildlife species while on the nature trails; however, Pennsylvania is home to a diverse range of birds. Songbirds that call the Trexler Nature Preserve home include the Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Bluebird, Scarlet Tanager, and many, many more! Great Blue Herons are often spotted flying over Jordan Creek. PA is home to 8 species of owls, though they may be rare to see during the day. September and October are peak migration months for several raptors including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, American Kestrels, and more!
What happens if one of the sessions is rained out?
Birdwatching is surely not as fun in the rain! If needed, rain dates can be scheduled for either the following Sunday or a Saturday in November. We will schedule our rain dates accordingly as they arise.
Do I need to wear a face covering while on the nature trails?
Yes, since we may not be able to properly social distance while on the trails we ask that you wear a face covering to keep yourself and others safe. Masks are required inside the zoo at all times.
Have another question not listed here?
For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org.