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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Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration at Grange Insurance Audubon Center
News

Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration at Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Dudley Edmondson, Nature Photographer and Author of “Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places,” hosts a presentation and bird walk with community members about fostering a connection with nature for people of color.

Audubon Great Lakes Submits Testimony in Support of Community Solar in Michigan
News

Audubon Great Lakes Submits Testimony in Support of Community Solar in Michigan

Michigan SB 152 & SB 153 offer opportunities to expand solar access to help protect birds from climate change

Audubon Advocates Gather at Michigan State Capitol, Call for Wetlands Protections and Climate Change Solutions to Protect Birds
News

Audubon Advocates Gather at Michigan State Capitol, Call for Wetlands Protections and Climate Change Solutions to Protect Birds

Michiganders flock to the Michigan State Capitol for Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day

Audubon Great Lakes Launches Shoreline Restoration and Interdunal Wetland Restoration Project with Ottawa County Parks & Recreation
Eastern Lake Michigan

Audubon Great Lakes Launches Shoreline Restoration and Interdunal Wetland Restoration Project with Ottawa County Parks & Recreation

New restoration project will conserve wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds and wildlife in the Eastern Lake Michigan region

Legislation to Fund Restoration of the Great Lakes Advances to U.S. Senate
News

Legislation to Fund Restoration of the Great Lakes Advances to U.S. Senate

Attributable to Senior Policy Director for Audubon Great Lakes, Marnie Urso

Michigan Budget Advances, Funding to Protect Wetlands Included
News

Michigan Budget Advances, Funding to Protect Wetlands Included

Attributable to Audubon Great Lakes’ Freshwater Policy Director, Brian Vigue

Governor Evers Signs Legislation to Protect Wetlands, A Bipartisan Victory for Birds and Communities
News

Governor Evers Signs Legislation to Protect Wetlands, A Bipartisan Victory for Birds and Communities

SB 222 empowers local governments to restore wetlands before flooding events occur

Federal Legislation to Protect Migrating Birds Advances in Time for Spring Migration
News

Federal Legislation to Protect Migrating Birds Advances in Time for Spring Migration

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act Moves to the Full House for Approval

Brian Vigue Named One of Wisconsin's 32 Most Influential Native American Leaders
Press Center

Brian Vigue Named One of Wisconsin's 32 Most Influential Native American Leaders

Vigue oversees Audubon Great Lakes’ freshwater policy efforts with a special focus on Wisconsin

Ways You Can Help