Birdability: Birding is for every body
Written by Andy McCormick
Andy McCormick, 2024 Audubon Washington Helen Engle Volunteer of the Year
I remember when I first moved to the Seattle area in 1995, I began looking for birding locations that were suitable for me to take my daughter along. It was not an easy task because my daughter uses a wheelchair. We visited some parks not knowing what we would find and found trails that were too soft for wheelchair wheels, others with no ramps to get over curbs, or hills too steep for pushing the wheelchair. Eventually we found a few locations with smooth paved trails and wide boardwalks and now we have four locations within a half hour drive of her home in Seatac, WA where we can roll and enjoy birds at the same time. We keep our outings fresh as we rotate the locations during the seasons.
I have learned that there are many other birders who have had similar challenges either for themselves or a family member. One person who has done something about this, is Virginia Rose of Travis Audubon in Texas. In 2018, she organized an outing for people with disabilities for her Audubon chapter’s Christmas Bird Count. She called the team “Birdability.” The name stuck and the organization has grown. Birdability is now a registered trademark, and the organization is now partnering with National Audubon. Together the two organizations established the online Birdability Map where anyone interested in birds and nature can review assessments of the accessibility of parks and trails.
BIRDABILITY ASSESSMENTS
Too often birding locations present barriers which with a little planning can be remedied to make the location more accessible for people with disabilities. Until more of that work is completed, the Birdability Assessments on the Birdability Map allow a birder or their family members to review a location before they go. Planning ahead is essential for those with disabilities and knowing what to expect at a location can help make the experience of birding and enjoyment of nature, the positive experience we all get when we are refreshed by nature.
The assessments on the Birdability Map are very detailed. They provide the location and type of parking available including parking stalls reserved for those with a handicapped parking permit. Also included is a description of the width and surface condition of boardwalks and paved, gravel, or dirt trails. Other important information includes the location of restrooms and if they are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and the presence of aids such as benches along the trails. The assessment also includes a description of the location and whether or not it is suitable for car birding, and if there is information about special services for people with hearing or vision loss.
BIRDABILITY WEEK, OCTOBER 20-26, 2025
This year Eastside Audubon has made a commitment to conduct Birdability Assessments at all 21 birding locations featured on the chapter’s Birding East King County webpage. As of this writing, assessments have been completed at Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue, a good example of a park with both dirt and paved trails; Neal Road, SE in Fall City, an example of a good location for birding from a car; Rattlesnake Lake and the Cedar Falls Watershed Education Center; and Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation, another park with paved trails.
As part of this effort Eastside Audubon will be participating in Birdability Week this October, and we will offer two birding outings at two of the locations for which we have completed the Birdability Assessments: Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue and Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation. These outings will be posted on the calendar on the Eastside Audubon website www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar.
CONTACT
If you would like to join our Birdability Assessment team, help with planning the Birdability Week in October, or helping to lead one of the birding outings, please contact Andy McCormick at amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org
Photo Credit: Killdeer by Mick Thompson