Welcome!
Jayhawk Audubon is the chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Lawrence, Douglas County, and surrounding communities in eastern Kansas.
Our mission is to provide opportunities for greater understanding and appreciation of birds and other wildlife, to encourage sustainable practices, and to advocate for actions and policies which result in protection and preservation of intact ecosystems.
Join us! All of our resources are available to the public free of charge and our meetings and field trips are always open to the public. If you would like to become a member, the cost is just $20 per year for an individual membership. Click here for more membership information.
Eastern Bluebird female photo by Jim Bresnahan.
Upcoming Events
All events are free and open to everyone. All levels of interest and experience are invited. A few extra binoculars will be available for loan.
Palm Warbler by Mary Giraulo / Audubon Photography Awards
Educational Presentation:
May 22: Mating Systems in Birds | Ted Anderson
Ted Anderson earned a PhD in biology from Saint Louis University. His primary research interests have been on the community ecology and reproductive biology of the House Sparrow. He will speak about birds’ mating systems including monogamy, polygyny, polyandry, and promiscuity. The talk will describe each of these systems and the adaptiveness for the species that use them as well as some of the adaptations that characterize the species that use each system.
Wood Duck by Michael Schmitt/Audubon Photography Awards
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Jayhawk Audubon Society
Jayhawk Audubon Society welcomes anyone without discrimination into our organization as a member or to partner with us to enhance our work dedicated to birds, other wildlife, and healthy ecosystems.
We are deeply committed to maintaining and promoting an inclusive environment for our chapter’s members, supporters, and our community at large. Everyone is always invited to attend our free educational programs, birding field trips, and community outreach events.
We respect individuals’ values, experiences, abilities, and perspectives and recognize that a diverse membership engaged in a participatory, welcoming environment will ensure our organization is as strong as it should be to achieve our mission.
Click here to read National Audubon Society’s full statement on equity, diversity and inclusion.
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Stay informed about upcoming Jayhawk Audubon events, learn more about the species in your area, and find opportunities to get involved.
Photo by Jarett Thurman - LeConte's Sparrow - Clinton Lake
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Plants for Birds
Support the birds and pollinators in your backyard by planting native plants. The Jayhawk Audubon Society has joined with National Audubon to promote Plants for Birds, a nationwide effort to get 1 million native plants planted within five years
THREE TENETS OF GARDENING FOR BIRDS
1) Grow trees, shrubs, vines and flowers
2) Lots of them
3) Mostly native
Native Flowers
Statement on Avian Influenza
Avian influenza, or bird flu, appears to present minimal risk to humans. As of April 22, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported zero cases of bird flu in humans. Risk to songbirds (common visitors to bird feeders) also appears very low according to Dr. Julianna Lenoch, who directs the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA APHIS) National Wildlife Disease Program. There has been no official recommendation that people should take down bird feeders unless they also keep domestic poultry. If you have a backyard poultry flock, keep their food and water inaccessible to wild birds and take down bird feeders. All people feeding birds should clean their feeders and birdbaths on a weekly basis, and, as always, avoid direct contact with wild birds.
On April 26, 2022 Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Disease Biologist Shane Hesting provided the following statement concerning Avian Influenza and bird feeders: “At this time in Kansas, the risk to songbirds is low because most waterfowl have moved north in their migration and because of the ecological niche separation between songbirds and waterfowl. Make sure to thoroughly clean your bird feeders with a 10 percent bleach solution every two weeks to prevent other pathogens from affecting birds. The virus may return in the fall when the migrations to the south begin; stay tuned as more information becomes available.”
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Guidelines