Birding for Everyone in Tucson: A Community Adventure
TUCSON, Ariz. — Marcia OBara, equipped with an oxygen pack for her COPD, is passionately leading a group eager to explore the world of birds. They stroll along easy trails with walking sticks, moving at their comfortable pace, relishing the camaraderie around them.
This is “Birding for Every BODY,” one of the many programs organized every month by the Tucson Bird Alliance in partnership with Pima County. It’s part of a growing movement across the country aimed at making birdwatching accessible to everyone, regardless of physical challenges.
“It’s a chance for anyone to enjoy birdwatching without any pressure, no matter how slowly we go or how many birds we spot,” OBara, a retired nurse with three years of experience leading these walks, explained. She noted that traditional birdwatching trips can often be hard for those with disabilities, especially with the competitive nature that some birders bring.
OBara carefully selects trails that are easy for all to navigate, ensuring that facilities like restrooms are spacious enough for mobility devices, and there are ample spots for shade and refreshment. During the walks, she keeps an eye on the group’s pace, making adjustments as necessary.
“I worked in rehabilitation, so I have a good sense of people’s needs,” OBara shared.
Despite the welcoming environment, OBara noted that attendees who use wheelchairs or scooters are rare, as many may feel they can’t keep up. “We really encourage them to join us,” she added.
Connecting with Nature
During one of the February outings, OBara highlighted a beautiful phainopepla, a slender bird with a distinctive crest, resting in a mesquite tree adorned with clusters of bright red desert mistletoe. Nearby, mallards quacked and swam in the ponds.
“It’s wonderful to just be outside and let my mind rest,” remarked Rhea Guertin, a retired snowbird from Rhode Island now enjoying her winter in Tucson, using a walking pole for support. “I just take my time,” she added.
Evelyn Spitzer, a retired teacher from the Tucson area, also utilized a walking pole due to her heart condition and recent surgery recovery.
This initiative to promote inclusive birding started gaining momentum back in 2018 when Virginia Rose, a retired Texas teacher, founded Birdability after spending years in a wheelchair due to a spinal injury.
A Vision for All
“Our goal is to ensure that birdwatching is truly for everyone, no matter their disability,” stated Cat Fribley, executive director of Birdability. The organization supports individuals with various challenges, from mobility issues to vision impairments, chronic conditions, and more.
Fribley, who uses a mobility scooter, enjoys birdwatching on accessible paths in her community in Iowa City and even from her back deck with a cup of coffee during colder months.
Accessible birding can also take place from cars, canoes, or even from a kitchen window, as advocates highlight.
Resources for Inclusive Birdwatching
Birdability has collaborated with the National Audubon Society to create a map featuring birding spots that are accessible nationwide, and it provides guidance to able-bodied birders on fostering inclusivity.
The organization’s website offers a wealth of resources, including adaptive devices like mounts for birdwatching cameras, and apps designed to help those with visual impairments recognize and record bird songs. Occupational therapist Freya McGregor suggests using binocular harnesses for easier handling, especially for those with shoulder or neck issues.
McGregor, who dealt with a knee injury herself, runs Access Birding to support various nature organizations in enhancing accessibility on their trails.
Finding Joy in Birdwatching
“Birdwatching brings so much happiness,” shared Jerry Berrier, a 73-year-old lifelong birder from Massachusetts who is blind. His love for birds began in college when he learned to identify various bird calls and songs for a biology class.
Berrier has since created a website to help visually impaired bird enthusiasts record and share their experiences. He also co-hosts the “Any Bird, Any Body” podcast with a friend and helped organize the first national bird-a-thon for blind birders in the U.S., which saw impressive participation last year and is set to expand internationally this May.
“We invite local organizations to support blind participants during these events,” Berrier encouraged. “Living with a disability can often feel isolating.”
In Tucson, efforts like those of OBara and the Tucson Bird Alliance strive to ensure that everyone can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature and connection through birdwatching.
