The Nest

Sandhill Crane Photo: Mary Lundeberg/Audubon Photography Awards

The Nest is a compilation of virtual and e-learning resources for kids, adults, and anyone at home fulfilled by birds and the places they need.

Just as birds create their nests from a variety of materials, we've gathered elements across Audubon's network to allow friends of all ages to escape into the world of birds and the Great Lakes.

Perfect for practicing social distancing, The Nest provides a safe source of comfort and joy during these challenging times.

Explore the Virtual World of Birds

Learn to Bird by Ear
The Nest

Learn to Bird by Ear

The sheer volume of songs and calls can often feel overwhelming for birders, but these sounds offer an opportunity and a challenge. With our birding-by-ear series you can learn how to better ID birds through their vocalizations.

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Audubon Bird Cams
The Nest

Audubon Bird Cams

From nesting Atlantic Puffins in Maine to Arizona's hungry hummingbirds, you can follow along live 24/7.

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MI Birds
MI Birds

MI Birds

MI Birds aims to deepen Michiganders engagement in the understanding, care, and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities.

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Carina Ruiz leading Wild Indigo Programming. Photo: Ivonne Chavez

DIY Activities & Nature Exploration

Make Migration-Friendly Window Decorations
The Nest

Make Migration-Friendly Window Decorations

Help your feathered friends through their journey with this easy DIY.

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How to Make a Birdbath
The Nest

How to Make a Birdbath

Help your feathered friends beat the heat this summer with this easy DIY birdbath.

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Make a Bird Feeder Out of Recycled Materials
The Nest

Make a Bird Feeder Out of Recycled Materials

This easy DIY feeder will make birds, and the earth, happy.

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Un Cuento de Dormir de los Pajaritos | "Birdy" Bedtime Stories

TheSpanishExperiment.com provides bilingual learning and stories for kids, parents and guardians of all ages to enjoy. Based on "The Bird and The Whale", by Aletta, El Pájaro y la Ballena: The Bird and the Whale shares a thought-provoking journey of friendship, love and understanding between two extraordinary creatures. Narrated in Spanish followed by English, the entire family can listen, follow along, practice a new or familiar language, and share in the bird and whale's altruistic friendship and love. 

El Pájaro y la Ballena: The Bird and the Whale © 2013 - 2020 TheSpanishExperiment.com
Based on "The Bird and The Whale", by Aletta.
Illustrations: TheSpanishExperiment.com.
Narration: Ana María Álvarez

Blue Grosbeak in serviceberry. Photo: Photo: Dave Maslowski

How to Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly

By National Audubon Society 

"In the face of these threats, you can help birds thrive right where you live by making your yard more bird-friendly. Follow the steps below to create a patch of vibrant habitat that attracts colorful birds and their sweet melodies. If you don’t have a yard, you can still help birds by creating a native plant container garden on your patio or balcony. Even very small patches of habitat provide tired, hungry birds with exactly what they need, particularly during migration." READ MORE

More on Birds and Blooms

Brighten Up Your Balcony or Patio with a DIY Native-Plant Garden
The Nest

Brighten Up Your Balcony or Patio with a DIY Native-Plant Garden

Even apartment dwellers can lure birds to their windows with container gardens. Here's how to get yours ready for spring migration.

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So You Have Your List of Native Plants. Now What?
The Nest

So You Have Your List of Native Plants. Now What?

Doing a little prep and research before you go to the nursery will save headaches and ensure you build the best habitat possible.

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Making Seed Balls to Help Birds
The Nest

Making Seed Balls to Help Birds

With this simple DIY, you can spread the power of native plants far and wide.

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Piping Plover. Photo: Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards

Find an Audubon Chapter in your area

A grassroots network that spans the continent

Chapters enable Audubon members and others to meet and share an appreciation of their common interests. They create a culture of conservation in local communities through education and advocacy, focusing on the conservation of birds, other wildlife and conservation of important habitats. LEARN MORE

Taking Action for Birds

Join Our Action Network
The Nest

Join Our Action Network

The only way we'll be successful in our conservation efforts is with your help. As a constituent, you have a unique ability to convey your concerns about issues affecting birds, wildlife and their habitats — and be heard like no lobbyist.

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Piping Plovers Nest in Chicago for the First Time in Over Half a Century
The Nest

Piping Plovers Nest in Chicago for the First Time in Over Half a Century

The enterprising pair have made Montrose Beach their new home, and not even flooding will keep them from trying to build a family

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Injured Bird Rescue
How To Help

Injured Birds

Handling and rescuing injured or abandoned birds.

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Audubon Chapters Gather to Discuss Importance of Collaborating to Protect Great Lakes Birds
News

Audubon Chapters Gather to Discuss Importance of Collaborating to Protect Great Lakes Birds

Chapter leaders, members and partners from across the Great Lakes region came together for the Audubon Great Lakes Chapter Gathering in Gary, Indiana

Audubon Great Lakes’ Radio Towers Detect Migratory Bird Species of Conservation Need
Blog

Audubon Great Lakes’ Radio Towers Detect Migratory Bird Species of Conservation Need

Seven radio towers connect the Great Lakes coastline to the global Motus Wildlife Tracking Network

Sharing Our Shore – Waukegan Program Brings Community and Partners Together to Protect Piping Plovers
Blog

Sharing Our Shore – Waukegan Program Brings Community and Partners Together to Protect Piping Plovers

A partnership between a local Audubon chapter and their municipality is helping Great Lakes Piping Plovers succeed in Lake County, Illinois 

New Study Reveals Common Grackle Predation Threat to Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers
Homepage

New Study Reveals Common Grackle Predation Threat to Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers

First photographic documentation of Common Grackles consuming Piping Plover eggs

A Hopeful Future: Another Record-Breaking Season for Great Lakes Piping Plovers
Press Center

A Hopeful Future: Another Record-Breaking Season for Great Lakes Piping Plovers

A unified effort of dedicated conservationists, volunteers and community members are driving the recovery of an endangered shorebird

During World Water Week, Indianapolis Residents Call for Wetlands Protections, Action on Climate Change at Audubon Birds & Brews
News

During World Water Week, Indianapolis Residents Call for Wetlands Protections, Action on Climate Change at Audubon Birds & Brews

Birds and Brews, presented by Audubon Great Lakes and Amos Butler Audubon Society, welcomed Indiana residents, local leaders for a discussion on the policy solutions that will protect birds and communities

Piping Plovers Nest Successfully in Lower Green Bay for Ninth Consecutive Year; Longtail Point Hosts Endangered Shorebird for Second Season in Recorded History
News

Piping Plovers Nest Successfully in Lower Green Bay for Ninth Consecutive Year; Longtail Point Hosts Endangered Shorebird for Second Season in Recorded History

Researchers, partners and volunteers work together to monitor and protect endangered shorebird

What is That Hawk Doing?
MI Birds

What is That Hawk Doing?

Understanding the silly behaviors of Great Lakes juvenile hawks

Audubon Great Lakes Uses Groundbreaking Techniques to Monitor Endangered Marsh Birds in Indiana
Press Center

Audubon Great Lakes Uses Groundbreaking Techniques to Monitor Endangered Marsh Birds in Indiana

New technology is helping fill critical data gaps and inform on-the-ground conservation

Helping Wisconsin’s Grassland Birds with Audubon Conservation Ranching
Blog

Helping Wisconsin’s Grassland Birds with Audubon Conservation Ranching

Preserving habitats for imperiled grassland bird species

Ways You Can Help