This year’s festivities include local programs, events throughout weekend
The fifth annual Black Belt Birding Festival will take place August 1–3, 2025, bringing hundreds of birding enthusiasts, ecotourism advocates, and history lovers to Alabama’s Black Belt.
Organized by Alabama Audubon, the festival continues to expand each year, drawing more visitors and attention to the region’s unique landscapes and wildlife. As of press time, more than 600 tickets have already been sold, surpassing last year’s attendance.
Greensboro will host a range of local programming throughout this weekend in conjunction with the festival. Sumac Cottage , located at 1107 South Street, will hold a Saturday artist market and gallery exhibit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring Nests, a special show highlighting the work of regional artists. UAB professor and internationally acclaimed artist Douglas Pierre Baulos will demonstrate how to create vulture puppets from marbleized paper while sharing information about these important and often-misunderstood birds. Local chef Amanda Pinkstaff will serve garden gazpacho, focaccia sandwiches, and watermeloncucumber salad.
The Engle Gallery on Main Street will present Birds, Beasts, Creatures, and Critters, an exhibition that will run from August 1 through August 23. Twenty percent of all sales from this exhibit will be donated to Alabama Audubon to support its Black Belt Birding Initiative.
Historic Magnolia Grove ,located at 1002 Hobson Street, will feature Birds in the Decorative Arts, curated by University of Alabama professor Ian Crawford in partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission and Historic Magnolia Grove Foundation. Crawford’s program highlights how the people of the 19th century showcased their love for nature, and birds in particular, in their material culture and surroundings. From wallpaper and fabric to dinnerware and mantle decor, the exuberance and whimsy birds symbolize were displayed throughout Victorian decorative arts. Visit the historic house and outbuildings, and explore the exhibit and tablescape featuring items from museums and private collections. Magnolia Grove will be open Fridays and Saturdays in August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival begins 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 excursions will take place Saturday across Hale, Perry, Dallas, Sumter, and Marengo counties, with stops that include the birding tower at Perry Lakes Park, a beginners’ walk in Selma, and a return to the Joe Farm—featured by National Geographic and the BBC—for Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kite viewing. Events extend 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. Author and filmmaker Dudley Edmonson will deliver the keynote address on Sunday, focusing on diversity in birding and environmental conservation.
A full schedule of events and ticket information is available at alaudubon.org.
