By Lillian Stokes I waited over five years to see the Steller’s Sea-Eagle after it showed up in Taunton, Massachusetts, in December 2021. Only about 200 lucky birders got to see it before it migrated north after being there for just a few hours. I was not one of them. Fast-forward through my life. My husband, Don, died last year after a long illness. When I remarried in May, the number one question I was asked was, “Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Where do you think?

Massachusetts Young Birders Club If you’ve been out seeking nature at nearby parks and preserves, you may have noticed more young adults slowing down to watch birds. It’s not just us old folks. For years, birdwatching carried a certain stereotype: retirees standing quietly in a marsh with binoculars and a field guide. Not anymore. In 2026, news outlets have been documenting a noticeable surge of interest in birding among teenagers and twenty-somethings. It’s a healthy trend t

My dad was a teacher and a professional photographer. I was fortunate to learn from him, and early in my career, I found jobs doing travel photography. Everywhere I traveled, I lugged around my Nikon F3, with an array of lenses and gadgets, plus rolls and rolls of 35mm film. When I finally made the transition to digital many years later, I once again invested in a good camera and expensive lenses. But something had changed. The iPhone had come along, offering impressive image

One of the things we love most about Audubon magazine is its exceptional photography. If you need a little inspiration to improve your photo skills, take a look at the recently announced winners of the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards. Audubon just unveiled this year's winners, showcasing remarkable images of everything from a Roseate Spoonbill and Tennessee Warbler to a White-tailed Tropicbird. And it's not just about taking a pretty picture—the best images capture fascinatin

How your backyard feeders can help migrating and wintering birds this autumn Female Scott's Oriole As fall migration gets underway, backyard birders sometimes wonder: Should I take down my feeders? Could all that easy food convince birds not to migrate? Migration burns an amazing amount of energy. Birds traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles need to put on fat before leaving and replenish those reserves whenever they get the opportunity. Migration is driven mainly by

A legendary bird illustrator passes away In My Wild Life, my recent memoir, I chronicled the many influential figures in my life. One of those icons, Guy Tudor, recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of bird and wildlife illustration. Guy was the first person to paint all South American birds. He illustrated the first field guides to the birds of Venezuela and Colombia along with major handbooks on all the songbirds of South America. He also formed and hosted the New Y

Fifty years of data reveals a warning for us all Removing Garlic Mustard to help birds, bugs, and native forests thrive. On a still summer morning on Squam Lake, the sound arrives before anything else: a long, wavering wail. It is unmistakably the Common Loon —one of North America's most ancient and recognizable birds. With its jet-black head, dagger-sharp bill, and boldly checkered back, the loon carries an air of prehistoric authority. Squam Lake, nestled among the foothill

A spring tradition with muddy boots included Removing Garlic Mustard to help birds, bugs, and native forests thrive. By Peter Alden For the past five years, I have helped the Concord Department of Natural Resources map infestations of Garlic Mustard along all 100 miles of roads in Concord. Invasive plants are becoming one of the greatest ecological threats in New England, and I have watched their spread accelerate dramatically over my lifetime. These mostly Eurasian plants we