Intro to Birding - Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square may be in the heart of Center City, but it's a surprisingly good place to see birds, especially in fall. Philadelphia sits on the Atlantic Flyway, a major migration route, and right now millions of birds are heading south for the winter. Many travel at night and drop into small, tree-filled parks at dawn to rest and refuel, which makes spots like Rittenhouse what birders call "migrant traps." On a fall morning, you might find warblers in their more subtle autumn colors, kinglets flitting through the branches, and sparrows like White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos arriving to spend the winter, alongside the park's year-round residents.

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Together, we'll slow down, look and listen closely, and learn how to identify the birds passing through our neighborhood. Along the way, we'll talk about how birds connect communities across the Americas and simple ways to help them on their journey, right here in the city.

Good to know: The tour runs about 90 minutes on flat, paved paths, with plenty of chances to pause. Binoculars are available to borrow. All ages and experience levels are welcome.