In Color Birding Club

We are so saddened to hear about the closing of Academy of Natural Sciences after 200 years. It’s a sad day for the city of Philadelphia.

As the pictures show, this institution, and its people, were and are an important part of the story of Philadelphia and of In Color Birding. The Academy hosted a number of film screenings, guest speakers like David Lindo Dexter Patterson Christian Cooper and most recently Isaiah E. Scott . This was the center of spring birding for a number of years as we celebrated with panels and guest speakers like Corina Newsome Cam Tykee James Katrina Clark Maria Andreina Pacheco Tanya Burnett and brianna a. . There were full bird exhibits fit to explore the intersection of birding and history in this city. It is a place many of us came to celebrate our full diversity in science and ornithology/birding. We will miss our time planning such events with Sean Snaks Stallworth Mariah Romaninsky and others. We hope Drexel University can reconsider and if not we hope the institution can find a path forward with new leadership and financial support. One that can sustain and value its place in the community as a place of learning rather than a point of revenue. This city deserves better Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

What a great morning to get back after it following a pretty hot summer. In Color Birding rolled with 18 beautiful people; some new birders and some new guests of ICB! The weather started overcast with a little breeze. As the day went along the humidity set in, the breeze tempered, and the sun came out. Folks continued nonetheless and we were treated to Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. A number of Great Blue Heron flyovers and one dangerous encounter with an Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) later, we had tallied 31 species!

What a great morning to get back after it following a pretty hot summer. In Color Birding rolled with 18 beautiful people; some new birders and some new guests of ICB! The weather started overcast with a little breeze. As the day went along the humidity set in, the breeze tempered, and the sun came out. Folks continued nonetheless and we were treated to Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. A number of Great Blue Heron flyovers and one dangerous encounter with an Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) later, we had tallied 31 species!

Trying to get good looks at a Green Heron

A better look at a green heron

Trying to scope some Common Grackles.

Green Heron homie.

Eastern Cicada Killer

Trying to find the female Blue Grosbeak

Found the Grosbeak

Welcoming circle!

We have missed you all so much!!!

Thank you for being gracious as our board and events committee took a summer break to recalibrate, rest, and prepare for big things to come.

Take a look at our upcoming outings including two outing specifically to gauge interest in a new YOUNG BIRDERS CLUB! Outings through 9/5 and the book club are posted. Remaining outings will be available for RSVP by 8/30!

We will see you all out there this fall!

It’s become an annual tradition for us to bird with our homies from Discovery Pathways at FDR Park. This year was full of new birds and some teaching. Many of these students were preparing to lead even younger birders on outings later this summer. As usual these young folks met us with curiosity and joy. We had our very own Osprey that seemed to be following us from start to finish. Shoutout to Katrina Clark and Jason L Hall for leading the group on this day.

Last month we had the opportunity to bird with our homies from Deeply Rooted,
The Urban Health Lab at Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice Urban Health Lab Penn

We spent some time birding at John Heinz NWR and had some spirited conversations about the color of the Indigo Buntings singing in the meadows near the visitors center. These students were so gracious to welcome us and find themselves through birding. It was important that we encouraged them to experience the space as themselves. It’s important for our true selves to find our place in nature and not be told who we are “supposed” to be while outdoors. We hope to spend more time with these amazing young folks! 🤩

Thanks to their leader Dianne for the welcome and for the photos.

Join In Color Birding for our next Book Club gathering, where bird joy meets storytelling.
On Wednesday, September 16th, we are coming together at the Parkway Central Library to dive into Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper. Mr. Cooper weaves us through his unique life “leading up to the now-infamous incident in Central Park and shows how a life spent looking up at the birds prepared him, in the most uncanny of ways, to be a gay, Black man in America today.”
This will not be a lecture. It is a conversation. We will spend about 90 minutes reflecting on what moved us, what challenged us, and what we are still sitting with. Whether you finished the book, started it, or are just curious, you are welcome here.
Like all of our gatherings, this space is rooted in community, curiosity, and connection. Come as you are. Bring your thoughts, your questions, your perspectives, or just come to listen.
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Free to attend, RSVP at incolorbirding.org
Need a copy of the book? You can borrow it through the Free Library or Libby, grab one from your local bookstore, or use Bookshop.org or Libro.fm, and if cost is a barrier, we have you covered.
The space is fully accessible, with elevator access and restrooms on the same floor. Easy to reach by SEPTA, and parking support is available.
Come build something new with us, a space for stories, reflection, and community.

The July 4th holiday weekend around Philly and the surrounding counties was certainly full of a lot of events for various communities. We were able to carve out some special time at Valley Forge NHP with our friends at Valley Forge Park Alliance

We took some time among the Joseph Plum trail and then dipped off into the surrounding forests of the Grand Parade. As we birded we shared stories with one another other, made friends, had some laughs, and reflected on the history of the space. One of the first stops was the Patriots of African Descent Monument. We had some time to reflect as American Goldfinches and one vibrant Eastern Warbling Vireo serenaded us. One of our attendees Quentin and Ashley Durden pointed out the birds on the monument plaque which looked like Purple Martins. There were a number of moments of building community. We finished with stopping by the Maurice Stephen’s house where we enjoyed some snacks from ANEU Kitchens, Juicery & Market who will be the opening a new cafe in the house when it opens (imagine coffee and snacks while overlooking the Grand Parade!)

All in all we had 35 species and plenty of memories. Looking forward to being back in the lark this fall. Thanks to Jeff Kenney for the checklist and to Quentin and Ashley Durden for some great photos.