Songbird Celebration is Blue Jay Point County Park's annual event celebrating the return of migratory songbirds and in honor of World Migratory Bird Day, on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
This year we are observing the World Migratory Bird Day theme, Water: Sustaining Bird Life! Learn about the importance of water in migration, nesting, food and more in birds' lives and how we can help maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems. Come see how we incorporate that theme as you enjoy bird-related activities, bird hikes, crafts and games at the park. This is a great outing for individuals, families, scouts and other youth groups. This is a free, family-friendly event for a fun day.
Check out our Songbird Celebration Guide to print it out for home!
Get ahead of the crowd and preregister for one of our many hikes or classes held throughout the day!
Adult Bird Hike
8:30–10 a.m.
Join NC State Park I & E Specialist Brian Bockhahn on a hike to locate spring migrants through bird song and observation. Enjoy a cup of shade-grown coffee when you get back! Criteria II/III or Continuing Ed credit available for the NC Environmental Education Certification Program. For ages 16 & up.
Family Bird Hike
10–10:45 a.m. & 11–11:45 a.m.
Start your family on the track of a lifetime hobby by taking a trek around Blue Jay with NC State Park I & E Specialist Brian Bockhahn in search of our springtime bird residents! This Family Bird Hike is free, and pre-registration is recommended. Remaining spots will be available day of the event.
Osprey Hike
10–10:45 a.m. & 11–11:45 a.m.
Join a park ranger from the US Army Corps of Engineers for a short hike down the Sandy Point Trail to observe a manmade osprey nesting platform and this year's avian inhabitants. This Osprey Hike is free as part of Songbird Celebration, and pre-registration is recommended. Remaining spots will be available day of the event. Baby backpacks are recommended rather than strollers.
Water Are You Doing for Birds
11–11:30 a.m. & 12:30-1 p.m.
Everyone needs clean water. Join us for some fun activities themed around how we can keep our water clean and help the birds! For ages 6–11.
Audubon Family Bird Hike
Noon–12:45 p.m. & 1–1:45 p.m.
Join members of Wake Audubon for a family bird hike around Blue Jay. Be sure to stop by the Wake Audubon booth for great information and activities – and a peek at their bird-related merchandise! This Wake Audubon Family Bird Hike is free as part of Songbird Celebration, and pre-registration is recommended. Remaining spots will be available day of the event. Baby backpack are recommended rather than strollers.
Vulture Culture
1:15–2 p.m.
Learn to love birds with spooky reputations by exploring the world of scavengers. We’ll dive into these birds associated with carrion and bones, learn why some birds vomit, and make a craft worthy of vulture culture. For teens earning the Environment for the Americans Stewardship Patch or for those who just want to learn more about these fascinating birds. For ages 12–15.
Audubon Bluebird Hike
2–2:45 p.m.
Learn about how the Eastern Bluebird populations have been brought back from the brink by Citizen Science efforts such as those at Blue Jay as you scope out the Bluebird Trail and take a peek into a nest box or two. This Wake Audubon Bluebird Hike is free, and pre-registration is recommended. Remaining spots will be available day of the event. Baby backpacks are recommended rather than strollers.
Looking to volunteer at Songbird Celebration? We have hours for teens, adults or groups – check out volunteer opportunities.
At-Home Content
Can't make it to the celebration? Find here an array of bird-related activities, crafts and more for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
- Word Search (printable)
- Connect the Dots (printable)
- Backyard Birds – From Historic Oak View County Park, with several pages of birds!
- Blue Jay
- Hummingbird
- American Goldfinch
- Cardinal
- Games
- Bird Academy Play Lab by The Cornell Lab
- Bird Bingo – play against family and friends online
- Crafts
- TP Bird Feeders – Turn a simple toilet paper roll into a bird feeder and attract birds and other wildlife to your home. Using simple supplies you have around home, try out this fun craft!
- Yarn Wrapped Bird – Pre-K thru lower elementary
- Bird Coloring pages – color online or printable
- Wake County Public Libraries
- General catalog – Great place to find books about birds and so much more!
- Bird magazines – Current available online magazines
- Films on Demand – For all ages, easily searchable for variety of content
- Films on Demand – Just for kids, bird-related content
- Videos
- Hummingbirds – Learn more on how to attract these fierce and fast-flying creatures to your space and watch the aerial acrobatics begin!
- Rainy Day Birds – Stuck inside on a rainy day and have nothing to do? Well, just look to the birds, as they are busy as ever on rainy days. How many different birds do you see? Who’s the bossiest bird of the feeder? Which bird is the fluffiest? Get inspired to put up your own bird feeders, do a drawing of a bird, put together a bird puzzle or just sit by the window and watch – you will never be bored on a rainy day again.
- Ted Ed – The Surprising Secrets of Hummingbird Flight
- Nest Box Information
- All about Bird Houses by NestWatch Audubon
- Mounting Bluebird Nest boxes from Suzy Spencer, NC Bluebird Society member
- PVC Pipe protector for nest boxes from Marti Kane, Wake Audubon and NC Bluebird Society member
- Hardware Cloth Guard from Marti Kane, Wake Audubon and NC Bluebird Society member
- Local Birding Groups
- Wake Audubon
- NC Bluebird Society
- Piedmont Bird Club
- Carolina Birding Clubs – find birding clubs located all over North & South Carolina
- Bird-Related Links
- World Migratory Bird Day
- All about Birds by The Cornell Lab
- NC State Extension – Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants
- Audubon for Kids
- Eastern NC Natural History Quizzes made by ECU Faculty