Burroughs Audubon Society

Partnership Program: Woodpeckers of the KC Region
2026-04-07 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, KS, 66207, United States
In-person event presented by Jack Corrigan, Osage Trails Missouri Master Naturalist and BAS Board Member. The Kansas City Region has seven species of woodpeckers! Some are year-round residents, and others are migrants. Learn about their special adaptations, natural history, identification and what you can do to attract and help these birds. As this is a Johnson County Parks & Rec sponsored event, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 12
2026-04-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, 7300 SW West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO, 64015, United States
Count birds for science! Project FeederWatch is a snapshot of where our familiar bird species spend the winter. Join us throughout the count season on our Sunday-Monday count days. Subject to change if weather is inclement. LAST FEEDERWATCH OF THE SEASON!

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 11
2026-03-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, 7300 SW West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO, 64015, United States
Count birds for science! Project FeederWatch is a snapshot of where our familiar bird species spend the winter. Join us throughout the count season on our Sunday-Monday count days. Subject to change if weather is inclement.

Field Trip: Weston Bend State Park
2026-03-28 07:30 - 12:00 | Weston Bend State Park, 16600 MO-45, Weston, MO, 64098, United States
Join us at Weston Bend State Park for this half-day of birding at an official Great Missouri Birding Trail. We will look for early Spring migrants and year-round residents. Meet at the entrance to the park and drive to our first destination together. We’ll walk both paved and dirt paths. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring your binoculars-there will be a few extra to share.

Leader: Sally Urdang — urdang.sal@gmail.com | 816-565-1839
Featured Image: Cedar Waxwing by Jesse Gordon

Field Trip: Tomahawk Park
2026-03-27 08:00 - 11:00 | Tomahawk Park, 3951 W 119th St, Leawood, KS, 66209, United States
We’ll meet at 8 am at the parking lot south of 119th between Roe and Mission in Leawood for a leisurely walk along the multi-use paved trails. We will be looking for winter visitors like Kinglets, Creepers, and Sparrows and year round residents. We may find some early spring migrants returning as well. We plan to walk a couple of miles out and back from the parking lot heading south towards I-Lan park. This trip is expected to last a couple hours and be done by 11am.

Malcolm Gold is the trip leader and questions can be directed to him at malcolmgold@gmail.com. Individuals of all experience and skill levels are welcome to attend. Malcolm will have a couple of extra binoculars with if you are brand new to birding and would like to borrow them for a couple of hours.

General Meetings & Programs: All About Birdhouses (Nest Boxes)
2026-03-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64110, United States
In-person event presented by Jack Corrigan, Osage Trails Missouri Master Naturalist and BAS Board Member. Spring is coming, and our native cavity-nesting birds (bluebirds, chickadees, and more) begin searching for secure sites to raise families. Would you like to help? Birdhouses (or nest boxes) supplement natural cavities, help increase bird populations, and allow close observation. Referencing material from the “All About Birdhouses” section of Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology website, and adding his own expertise, Jack will explore topics such as: features of a good birdhouse, using the “Right Bird, Right House” interactive tool, and installing nest box cameras. This program will prepare you to purchase or build the best houses for each species. Jack has years of experience building, maintaining, and monitoring boxes for a variety of birds, including Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and Prothonotary Warblers (currently, he has 50 boxes under his care!). Bring your questions and don’t miss this chance to learn from an expert!

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 10
2026-03-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, 7300 SW West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO, 64015, United States

Partnership Program: Stopping The "Splats" - Bird Safe Window Workshop
2026-03-21 12:00 - 14:30 | Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO, 64110, United States
Free workshop! Learn about bird-window collisions and how to build DYI window treatments for your home that help save birds. Create “wind curtains” from paracord with presentations and hands-on demonstrations from volunteers. All materials provided.
To register, please send an email to: mail@burroughs.org by March 14. Include names of all attendees and a good telephone number, in case of any changes. Ages 17+ / Limited to 30 participants.
Sponsored by Burroughs Audubon Society, Osage Trails Master Naturalists, and Bird Safe KC.

Field Trip: Blue Springs Wetlands
2026-03-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Blue Springs Lake & Wetlands, 2M88+W5 Lee's Summit, Missouri, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64064, United States
Join us at the Blue Springs wetlands as we look for early Spring migrants, year-round residents, waterfowl and shorebirds. Anticipate walking in grass and on gravel paths. Meet at the parking lot just east of the dam to do a quick scan of the lake from a viewing platform, then we will drive down to the wetlands parking lot together. Please bring binoculars – there will be a few extra to share.
Leader: Sally Urdang — urdang.sal@gmail.com | 816-565-1839
Featured Image: Wood Duck by Harry Collins

Field Trip: Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
2026-03-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, 407 N La Frenz Rd, Liberty, MO, 64068
Join us for a walk around the nature sanctuary as we look for early spring migrants and year-round residents. The last time our group visited this property we saw a mating pair of Coopers Hawks building a nest. We’re hopeful that we’ll find them again. Meet at the parking lot outside of the visitor center at 9 AM. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as this hike is on dirt trails. Please bring binoculars – there will be a few extra to share.
Leader: Sally Urdang — urdang.sal@gmail.com | 816-565-1839
Featured Image: Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk by Jason Kandume

American Woodcocks at Jerry Smith Park
2026-03-11 18:45 - 20:00, 2026-03-09 18:45 - 20:00 | Jerry Smith Park Trailhead Parking Lot, 13493 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO, 64146
Join us as we meet just before sunset in search of American Woodcocks! These birds generally display near the parking lot and along the trails of the prairie near the parking lot. The temperature tends to fall rapidly at dark; please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight as a short walk along the trail is possible. Meet at the Jerry Smith Trailhead Parking lot at the top of the ridge for a short 15-minute presentation about the aerial displays and courtship behavior of these birds. Feel free to arrive at 7:00 PM if you have already heard the presentation. Master naturalists who attend for the first time get 1 hour of advanced training for the talk and viewing.
Directions: From Holmes Rd, turn EAST at 139th St and travel approximately a mile to the 2nd drive on the LEFT; the first drive goes to a private residence. The park sign can’t be seen coming from this direction. From I-49, take the Main St. exit and turn WEST. Drive through downtown Grandview and across the railroad tracks to the first street on your LEFT. This is 2nd St. Turn LEFT and travel approximately 2 miles to the park entrance; the sign can be seen coming from this direction. The road does wind around and change names until it becomes 139th St.
Your leader for this trip is Sherry Leonardo (816/718-5888 or home172@aol.com). There are NO make-up dates. These programs are very weather-dependent. Any cancellation will be posted on Burroughs website by 3 pm day of the program. Please be sure to dress appropriately-it tends to be colder than people expect.
Featured Image: American Woodcock by Robert Hamilton

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 9
2026-03-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, 7300 SW West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO, 64015, United States

Field Trip: Hillsdale Lake
2026-03-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Hillsdale State Park, 26001 W. 255th St, Paola, KS, 66071, United States
To carpool meet at the Pet Smart parking lot at 7:30AM in Olathe (15255 W 119th St). We will start in the state park (permit required) searching through the gulls. If you would like to meet us there we will be in the marina parking lot around 8:00am.
There will be some walking to reach viewing areas in different spots around the lake. Bring all the usual items, binoculars, scopes if you have them, snacks, water, etc. We may stay until mid afternoon so possibly bring a lunch. The forecast is for the low 40’s to 50’s with strong northwest winds so please dress appropriately.

Your leader for this trip is Mark Land. Leave a text at 816-590-9814 or contact at kestrelland@gmail.com.

American Woodcocks at Jerry Smith Park
2026-03-05 17:45 - 19:00 | Jerry Smith Park Trailhead Parking Lot, 13493 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO, 64146
Join us as we meet just before sunset in search of American Woodcocks! These birds generally display near the parking lot and along the trails of the prairie near the parking lot. The temperature tends to fall rapidly at dark; please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight as a short walk along the trail is possible. Meet at the Jerry Smith Trailhead Parking lot at the top of the ridge for a short 15-minute presentation about the aerial displays and courtship behavior of these birds. Feel free to arrive at 6:00 PM if you have already heard the presentation. Master naturalists who attend for the first time get 1 hour of advanced training for the talk and viewing.
Directions: From Holmes Rd, turn EAST at 139th St and travel approximately a mile to the 2nd drive on the LEFT; the first drive goes to a private residence. The park sign can’t be seen coming from this direction. From I-49, take the Main St. exit and turn WEST. Drive through downtown Grandview and across the railroad tracks to the first street on your LEFT. This is 2nd St. Turn LEFT and travel approximately 2 miles to the park entrance; the sign can be seen coming from this direction. The road does wind around and change names until it becomes 139th St.
Your leader for this trip is Sherry Leonardo (816/718-5888 or home172@aol.com). There are NO make-up dates. These programs are very weather-dependent. Any cancellation will be posted on Burroughs website by 3 pm day of the program. Please be sure to dress appropriately-it tends to be colder than people expect.
Featured Image: American Woodcock by Robert Hamilton

*** CANCELLED ***American Woodcocks at Jerry Smith Park
2026-03-03 17:45 - 19:00 | Jerry Smith Park Trailhead Parking Lot, 13493 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO, 64146
*** Cancelled due to trail and weather conditions ***
Join us as we meet just before sunset in search of American Woodcocks! These birds generally display near the parking lot and along the trails of the prairie near the parking lot. The temperature tends to fall rapidly at dark; please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight as a short walk along the trail is possible. Meet at the Jerry Smith Trailhead Parking lot at the top of the ridge for a short 15-minute presentation about the aerial displays and courtship behavior of these birds. Feel free to arrive at 6:00 PM if you have already heard the presentation. Master naturalists who attend for the first time get 1 hour of advanced training for the talk and viewing.
Directions: From Holmes Rd, turn EAST at 139th St and travel approximately a mile to the 2nd drive on the LEFT; the first drive goes to a private residence. The park sign can’t be seen coming from this direction. From I-49, take the Main St. exit and turn WEST. Drive through downtown Grandview and across the railroad tracks to the first street on your LEFT. This is 2nd St. Turn LEFT and travel approximately 2 miles to the park entrance; the sign can be seen coming from this direction. The road does wind around and change names until it becomes 139th St.
Your leader for this trip is Sherry Leonardo (816/718-5888 or home172@aol.com). There are NO make-up dates. These programs are very weather-dependent. Any cancellation will be posted on Burroughs website by 3 pm day of the program. Please be sure to dress appropriately-it tends to be colder than people expect.
Featured Image: American Woodcock by Robert Hamilton

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 8
2026-02-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00

Field Trip: Great Backyard Bird Count birding at Forest Hill Cemetery
2026-02-16 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-02-15 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-02-14 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-02-13 08:30 - 10:30 | Forest Hill Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO, 64131, United States
Join us for a few days of Great Backyard Bird Count birding at Forest Hill Cemetery – Friday, February 13 through Monday, February 16. 8:30-10:30 a.m. each day. This cemetery is a historic and scenic site nestled in the heart of Kansas City.
We’ll be watching for resident Red-headed Woodpeckers, Great Horned Owls, and other birds of prey and songbirds. Participants can choose to walk through grassy areas, stay on the paved roads winding through the cemetery, or drive between stops.
Expect about two hours of birding, though you’re welcome to leave anytime. Both novice and experienced birders are encouraged to join—please bring your own binoculars if possible (a few extras will be available).
Leader: Sally Urdang — urdang.sal@gmail.com | 816-565-1839

Nature Center Program: Project FeederWatch 7
2026-02-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, 7300 SW West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO, 64015, United States

Field Trip: Hillsdale Lake
2026-02-07 07:00 - 12:00 | Hillsdale State Park, 26001 W. 255th St, Paola, KS, 66071, United States
We’ll meet at 7am at the PetSmart parking lot near the corner of 119th and I-35 in Olathe to carpool south to the lake. We will start the trip around 7:45 at the State Park and Shelter 1 near the small watercraft ramp for anyone that wishes to meet us there. Please be aware there is a $5 park entrance fee if you do not have an annual pass. We plan to scope the lake from the shelter to start and will likely walk along the road from the road closed signage at Russell Crites boat ramp to the Quail Run campground to scan the center part of the lake. From there as time allows, we may stop at Antioch Marsh to scope more or at the west 22rd St access to walk down along Bull Creek. This trip is expected to be done around noon. It is often colder near the water and dressing in layers is recommended.

Malcolm Gold is the trip leader and questions can be directed to him at malcolmgold@gmail.com. Individuals of all experience and skill levels are welcome to attend. Malcolm will have a couple of extra binoculars with if you are brand new to birding and would like to borrow them for a couple of hours.

Field Trip: Blue River Parkway *** Rescheduled to 2/6 due to cold weather ***
2026-02-06 08:00 - 11:00 | Blue River Parkway, 11420 Blue River Road, Kansas City, MO, 64131
*** Rescheduled to 2/6 due to extreme cold temperatures ***

Join us as we conduct a winter bird census along the Blue River. We’ll search for winter and year-round residents that use this riparian habitat. This census assists KC WildLands and their mission of preserving the natural communities around Kansas City. This census counts toward volunteer hours for Master Naturalists.

Your leader for this trip is Don Arney. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Minor Park tennis courts parking lot. We’ll walk the hiking/biking trails along the Blue River, approx. 2 miles. Trail conditions can be very muddy, depending on precipitation and temperature. Watch this page for weather/cancellation updates, and feel welcome to contact Don at 22sora@gmail.com with any questions.

Featured Image: Golden-crowned Kinglet by Nick Saunders
