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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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

Read more

Injured Bird Rescue
How To Help

Injured Birds

Handling and rescuing injured or abandoned birds.

Read more

Inflation Reduction Act a Historic Win for Great Lakes’ Birds and People
News

Inflation Reduction Act a Historic Win for Great Lakes’ Birds and People

Marnie Urso, Audubon Great Lakes Statement on the House’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

Historic Climate Legislation Would Create a Cleaner Future for Great Lakes' Birds and People
News

Historic Climate Legislation Would Create a Cleaner Future for Great Lakes' Birds and People

Adam Forrer, Audubon Great Lakes Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

The Story of Ms. Packer the Piping Plover
Blog

The Story of Ms. Packer the Piping Plover

In birdwatching and conservation circles, Green Bay is becoming well-known for something other than its storied football franchise.

Priority Region: Green Bay
Coastal Wetlands

Priority Region: Green Bay

Restoring wetlands in Northeast Wisconsin for marsh birds, and protecting vulnerable birds like the Great Lakes Piping Plover.

Priority Region: Eastern Lake Michigan
Coastal Wetlands

Priority Region: Eastern Lake Michigan

Conserving wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds like the Marsh Wren.

Sharing the Love of Great Lakes Piping Plovers, One Beachgoer at a Time
Blog

Sharing the Love of Great Lakes Piping Plovers, One Beachgoer at a Time

With mid-summer approaching, piping plover chicks are hatching throughout the Great Lakes region, ushering in a particularly vulnerable time for these endangered shorebirds

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Moves Closer to Passing Congress
News

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Moves Closer to Passing Congress

Marnie Urso, Audubon Great Lakes Statement on Passage of the Wildlife Conservation Legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives

Michigan State Senator Jon Bumstead Goes Birding with Audubon Great Lakes in Western Michigan
News

Michigan State Senator Jon Bumstead Goes Birding with Audubon Great Lakes in Western Michigan

Audubon Great Lakes Shares Wetland Restoration Work, Discusses Bipartisan Conservation Solutions to Protect Michigan Birds & Natural Resources

Audubon Great Lakes Announces New Advisory Board Members
Press Center

Audubon Great Lakes Announces New Advisory Board Members

New leaders bring decades of expertise in conservation, environmental policy, and diversity, equity and inclusion

Priority Region: Detroit River & the St. Clair Flats
Coastal Wetlands

Priority Region: Detroit River & the St. Clair Flats

Restoring wetlands in Southeast Michigan to benefit vulnerable marsh birds like the Black Tern

Ways You Can Help