Chapters’ Corner, September 2026

Twelve independent chapters operate within the Audubon Southwest region. Consider joining a chapter near you to participate in bird-related events near you and engage on local issues. Read on for current chapter highlights! 

As the weather cools, your local chapters are snapping back to action after the long hot summer. Most hold monthly meetings, field trips and other activities so now is the time to check calendars and reserve your spot! Find your local chapter here. 

Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico Celebrates a Successful Survey Season 

For the sixth year, volunteers from Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico assisted Audubon Southwest with surveys on the Isleta Reach, a 48-mile stretch of the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque. A total of 18 birders surveyed 14 sites along the Middle Rio Grande and observed roughly 120 species. Additionally, Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico reminds us that festival season is upon us, so be on the lookout for chapter tables at free events like Wildlife Zone at Bosque del Apache, September 26. 

Maricopa Bird Alliance Offers Free Field Trip at Rio Salado: Sunday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. 

Birding in the evening? Yep, it is a thing! Participants will be treated to guided birding in riparian habitat flanked by marsh and mesquite bosque. The group will be walking on uneven and unpaved paths and will listen for owls and other nocturnal animals. Space is limited and RSVP REQUIRED. Sign up here. Note that the Rio Salado Audubon Center is closed on Sundays, but you can still come back and see us another time!  

Northern Arizona Audubon Society hosts trivia night to launch “Oh Hey Pinyon Jay”  

Drinking Horn Meadery in Flagstaff knocks it out of the park for the fourth year in a row with their release of “Oh Hey Pinyon Jay” mead—a quaffable drink raising awareness of Pinyon Jays and their declining status. Described as “sweet, earthy and with a gin style juniper bite” the mead bottle provides information about Audubon’s Pinyon Jay Community Science effort, and this limited release sells out every year. Northern Arizona Audubon Society celebrated the mead by hosting a special Pinyon-Juniper woodland focused trivia night at the mead hall on August 26, attended by about 25 people. If you missed it, no worries, the mead can be mail ordered. Get yours while supplies last!   

Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society hosts their first Bird-a-thon 

Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society hosted their first ever Bird-a-thon last summer, and organizers simplified the task of tallying results by using eBird lists.  First and second prize winners were able to donate their cash prizes to the local conservation nonprofits.  The first-place winner chose to donate $750 to New Mexico Wild and the second-place prize of $500 went to Rio Grande Return. If you are in the Santa Fe area, please join the effort in 2027!