Protecting Birds on the Move in Philadelphia

Migrating bird species pass through our cities each year—adding up to hundreds of thousands of birds—and rely on them as places to rest and refuel. In places like Philadelphia, Audubon and local communities are reimagining urban spaces so migratory birds can thrive.  

In recent years, our on-the-ground work has focused in Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek park, where Audubon staff teamed with the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation and groups like the Darby Creek Valley Association to create new meadow habitat where ballfields once existed in Whitby Meadow.  We also worked with local residents to create the biodiverse Cecil Street Gardens where pollinators and birds now flourish.  

Our Philadelphia work also takes place at the Discovery Center, a unique space that blends science, education, and community engagement. Located in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, the center brings together residents, students, and bird lovers to better understand and protect the natural world. 

Through hands-on programs, birding events, and community science initiatives, Audubon is helping Philadelphians connect with nature right where they live. That connection matters. Birds are key indicators of environmental health, and their decline signals broader challenges for ecosystems and people alike. Learn more about the Discovery Center and how you can get involved. 

Audubon is also proud to partner with Bird Safe Philly, a collaborative effort working to reduce bird collisions across the city. By advocating for bird-friendly building design and raising awareness about simple actions—like turning off lights at night—this partnership is making a real difference for migrating birds. 

Audubon staff and volunteers are tackling real threats, from restoring habitats to tracking urban bird populations. Their work shows that even in a major city, meaningful conservation is possible. 

Protecting birds starts at the local level. Together, we can make cities like Philadelphia a place where wildlife and people thrive. 

This is just one part of a much larger story. In Audubon’s Birds on the Move, a four-part documentary series, we follow these migrations from the Boreal Forest to Colombia and the places in between, including Philadelphia. Watch the latest episode as we trace the paths of the birds and the people and places working to ensure they make it safely along the way. 

Watch the second episode here and subscribe to our YouTube channel to follow the journey.