Directions & Birding Tips

This year, field trip registration is free! The 2024 event will be a celebration of birding in Philadelphia. We hope you’ll join us as we explore the city’s green spaces and see the amazing birds that can be found here. Click here to register for your field trips now!

Click the map for specific meeting locations for all field trips:

Here are meeting locations and information for each site we will visit during October 12 – 13, 2024:

Saturday, October 12 – MORNING FIELD TRIPS, 8:00 – 10:30 am

  • The Discovery Center/Fairmount Park (WALKING): 3401 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121. Park in the visitor lot, opposite the disc golf course and meet our trip leader in the courtyard on the water’s edge just inside the main gates of the center. Restrooms available. GPS coordinates: 39.981706, -75.191262
  • FDR Park (WALKING): 1500 Pattison Avenue & S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145. There are two entrances to FDR park along Pattison Ave. The westernmost entrance leads directly to the parking lot in front of the golf course entrance. Meet your trip leader at the parking lot in front of the entrance to the park’s former golf course. GPS coordinates: 39.904739, -75.182935
  • John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (WALKING): 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153. Park your car in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot and meet your trip leader at the entrance of the Visitor Center. Restrooms available. GPS coordinates: 39.89218, -75.2572
  • Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (WALKING): 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Meet your trip leaders in front of the main visitor Center. Restrooms are available. GPS coordinates: 40.056, -75.25267

Saturday, October 12 – AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS, 1:00 – 3:30 pm

  • Navy Yard (WALKING/DRIVING): 4500 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145. Meet your guide at Pier 7 (Admiral Pier Way and League Island Blvd). GPS coordinates: 39.887483, -75.166089
  • Laurel Hill Cemetery (WALKING): 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Meet your guide outside of the gift shop off of Ridge Avenue. Please park along Ridge Avenue or Clearfield Street. GPS coordinates: 40.004197, -75.187484
  • Morris Arboretum (WALKING): 19 W Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118. Just past the entrance kiosk you will see a cleared (but NOT paved) parking area to the left. Meet your guides in this parking lot. GPS coordinates for the lot: 40.090876, -75.223456
  • Woodlands Cemetery (WALKING): 4000 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Parking will be OUTSIDE The Woodlands, as they have limited availability for parking. Please park along Woodlands Ave., Baltimore Ave. and 41st and 42nd Streets. You will meet your guides at The Stables. Walking in from the main entrance on Woodland Ave., take a right and follow the bend around the left to meet at The Stables as shown on this map. GPS coordinates: 39.946766, -75.203990

Sunday, October 13 – MORNING FIELD TRIP, 8:00 – 10:30 am

  • Center City Birding (WALKING): Meet your guides at Sister Cities Café, located at 200 N 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Sister Cities Café is a bird-friendly structure. GPS coordinates: 39.957922, -75.169170

Sunday, October 13 – AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

  • Fairmount Park Bike-n-Bird (CYCLING): Meet your guides from Indego at the Northeast corner of 33rd and Oxford street. Parking is available at The Discovery Center at 3401 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121. Park in the visitor lot, opposite the disc golf course. GPS coordinates: 39.981749, -75.188762
  • Strawberry Mansion (WALKING): The Discovery Center at 3401 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121. Park in the visitor lot, opposite the disc golf course and meet our trip leaders at the Discovery Center parking lot. GPS coordinates: 39.981706, -75.191262

Here are some common sense approaches to make your Philly Birding Weekend field trips more enjoyable:

  • Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for hiking in our Philadelphia parks and natural areas in autumn.
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Bring rain gear, as all events are rain or shine. Field trips will only be canceled in the event of dangerous weather, such as a rain storms that include flooding and lightning risks.
  • Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled trip departs.
  • Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Audubon Mid-Atlantic and the Discovery Center offers wonderful birding programs for kids, but the Philly Birding Weekend has been planned for adults. Please use your discretion when registering.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly during field trips and switch cell phones to vibrate.
  • If you registered for a cemetery field trip, please help us maintain the beauty and dignity of these special places by practicing appropriate cemetery etiquette.
  • Restroom facilities may not be available during some field trips.

Please note:

  • If you are unable to participate in your field trip(s), please email us as soon as possible at phillybirding.com.
  • Trips will go rain or shine. If a field trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, we will notify you via email as soon as possible.
  • Please read our waiver and photo release form prior to registering for field trips.