The fifth annual Black Belt Birding Festival will take place August 1–3, 2025, highlighting the birds, landscapes, and history of Alabama’s Black Belt region. Organized by Alabama Audubon, the festival brings together birders, ecotourism advocates, and history enthusiasts for a weekend of field trips, music, and community programming.
The festival kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with a free public event at Project Horseshoe Farm in Greensboro, featuring live music by Rachel Edwards and John Holaway. Guided birding trips begin Saturday across Hale, Perry, Dallas, Sumter, and Marengo counties, with stops including the birding tower at Perry Lakes Park, a beginners’ walk in Selma, and a return visit to the Joe Farm—featured on Nat Geo and BBC—for Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kite viewing.
This year’s event extends into Sunday, with birding at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, visits to Selma-to- Montgomery March campsites, and a canoe trip on the Cahaba River’s oxbow lakes.
The keynote address will be delivered by author and filmmaker Dudley Edmonson on Sunday, exploring diversity in birding and environmental conservation.
Other highlights include a Saturday gallery and artist market at Sumac Cottage in Greensboro. A full schedule and tickets are available at alaudubon.org.
