Examples of accessible, inclusive bird outing event descriptions
Thank you for planning to hold an accessible, inclusive bird outing! One thing that’s important to remember as you plan this is that you need to be intentionally inclusive. This often means you have to go out of your way, and spend more time and energy to do it well. Advertising a bird outing simply as “accessible” does not provide nearly the amount of detail that most people with disabilities and other health concerns need to decide if that’s an event they could attend. For more information on the details we recommend you include, and why each of them are important, check out our Writing Bird Outing Event Descriptions Guidance Document.
Here are two examples of event descriptions which include this kind of detailed information. You’re welcome to copy their formats when you write yours! The first event was led by guest Birdability Blog contributor Amy Sugeno, and held as a Travis Audubon field trip in April 2021. The second is one of the field trips at the 2021 Southeast Arizona Birding Festival.
Please note: We ask that you do not call your accessible bird outing a “Birdability outing”, unless Virginia Rose or Freya McGregor are leading or co-leading the outing, as there are liability issues associated with this because it is our organization’s name. Thanks!
Central Park, City of Bee Cave
Thursday, April 29th , 8:00-10:00 am
Located right in the middle of the City of Bee Cave, Central Park is a surprisingly pleasant place to bird. Alongside the usual playgrounds and pavilions, park planners also left some areas in a more natural state, with small pockets of grassland and woodland with mostly native plants. Running through the park is a small, clear creek, with a nice buffer of trees, shrubs, and grasses, all of which attract a variety of birds. Of particular interest, there is an interesting patch of native Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) in the riparian woodland area which provides nice shelter for spring migrants as well as any summer breeding birds which may have arrived. Target birds include Vermilion Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Lark Sparrow, Painted Bunting, and Scissor-tailed flycatchers. However, if we’re lucky, some possibilities also include: Purple Martin, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Western Kingbird, and migrating Broad-winged Hawks.
We will walk slowly for about 1-1 ½ miles. The path is entirely concrete, except one short optional (about 0.2 mile total) out-and-back section, which is stabilized crushed granite. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. For information about accessibility, please see description below. While high diversity or numbers are not expected, this park is a good place to get long, clear looks at birds because of the relative openness of the park. It is also a nice park to know about, especially because of its quick and easy access to birding for almost anyone.
Registration is required, and further details will be provided to registrants prior to the date of the trip. Please contact Amy Sugeno at …@gmail.com for questions.
Accessibility Description: The concrete trail is estimated to typically be at least 5 feet wide. The majority of the trail is between 0%-5% grade, which is about a zero to 1:20 slope. A few places have very short sections of 5%-7% grade, and the steepest section is an 8% grade, and it is less than 10 feet long. There are at least 2 ADA-compliant car parking spots with access aisles at the trailhead lot.
Birdability outing to McDonald Park + Agua Caliente Park with Birdability’s Virginia Rose and Freya McGregor, and Tucson Audubon accessible outing leader Marcia OBara
Date: Sunday August 15th, 8:00am – 10:30am.
Difficulty: 1. For detailed accessibility information on this location, please visit the McDonald District Park Birdability Site Review and the Agua Caliente Regional Park Birdability Site Review on the Birdability Map.
Distance: 0.7 miles on an asphalt loop at McDonald Park. At Agua Caliente Park, a 0.8 mile asphalt loop trail, with an optional additional 0.3 mile side trip.
Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available at McDonald Park. Bathrooms are available at Agua Caliente, although no wheelchair accessible bathrooms are present.
Type of bird outing: This trip is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for beginner and advanced birders who experience accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other health concern. The three outing leaders experience their own accessibility challenges, including one who uses a manual wheelchair, and the location’s accessibility features have been documented in detail to help you decide if you’d like to attend.
Description: Join us for a leisurely birding experience at McDonald Park, with the option to continue on to Agua Caliente Park. We will start at McDonald Park, in the parking area off N Harrison Rd, slightly south of the main entrance. Drive in and park in the right hand section of the parking area. We will bird along the asphalt loop trail for approximately 0.7 miles. Please note, this trail is somewhat bumpy and can be challenging for those using mobility devices.
You then have the option to continue on with us to Agua Caliente Park, which is a 15 minute drive in your own vehicle. At Agua Caliente Park, enter via E Roger Rd, and we will meet at the end of the parking lot farthest from the entrance. We will bird along the asphalt loop trail which extends approximately 0.8 miles around two retention basins. Participants are welcome to wait for us and enjoy some stationary birding, or turn back at any time. We have the option of travelling along several hard packed dirt trails (total distance about 0.3 miles) that branch off from the asphalt trail, or the group splitting if participants have different preferences.
Target birds: McDonald Park: Phainopepla, Lucy’s Warbler, Cooper’s Hawk, Great-horned Owl, Vermillion Flycatcher, Verdin. Agua Caliente: Lesser Nighthawk, Gila Woodpecker, Purple Martin, Lesser Goldfinch, Bell’s Vireo, Brown-crested Flycatcher.
Number of attendees: Limited to 15 participants, with up to five additional attendants if you need to bring someone to help you participate.
Additional information: 12 pairs of loaner binoculars will be available. Outing is free with festival registration. Please feel free to email info@birdability.org with any additional questions you may have about this event.
