Happenings at WBU East | You Have Plans
Sun, Sept 20 — The Zen Birder, Eric DeFonso: Bird/Nature Outing & In-Store Talk
Join the Zen Birder, Eric DeFonso, for an inside look at how to begin birding by ear, no perfect hearing required! Eric shares his personal journey into ear birding, how technology can help (and sometimes hinder), and why bird sounds are so endlessly fascinating. Along the way, he'll share real examples from birding his local patches and adventures abroad.
Registration required for the bird outing on Eventbrite. Opens Monday, Sept 14.
Beginner-Friendly
Learn Ear Birding Tips -- No perfect hearing required
Bird with an Expert
In-Store Presentation at 11am | Tuning In: A Journey Into Ear Birding. No registration required.
Talk Description:
Join us for an inside look at the rewarding world of birding by ear. Eric will share his personal journey into ear birding, tips for getting started, and how technology can help, or sometimes hinder, the process. Discover why you don’t need perfect hearing to identify birds by sound and why bird songs and calls are so endlessly fascinating. Along the way, Eric will share real-world examples from birding his local patches and his many adventures abroad as a bird guide and traveler.
Our Special Guest Speaker:
Eric DeFonso, known as The Zen Birder, is a Colorado-based field ornithologist and passionate advocate for the art of birding by ear. His fascination with bird sounds has led him to explore the subtle details that make each song and call unique and to share that knowledge with birders of all experience levels.
Eric is the author of the “Birding by Ear” column in Colorado Birds, the journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists, where he explores bird vocalizations and the challenges and rewards of identifying birds by sound. His writing combines careful observation, technology, and practical field experience to help birdwatchers become more confident listeners.
A dedicated birder and traveler, and subject of a Rocky Mountain PBS Special, Eric draws on experiences from his local birding patches as well as adventures farther afield. He believes birding by ear is an accessible and rewarding skill and that you don't need perfect hearing to develop a deeper appreciation for the sounds of birds.
Join us Saturday, Sept. 26 for a guided bird outing and an in-store presentation with our favorite avian expert, Josiah Lavender.
Guided Bird Outing: Come find birds with us! Josiah will help locate, ID and discuss all things birds. All levels welcome and encouraged!
Talk Description: Birds are everywhere, making them powerful indicators of environmental change, quick to reveal shifts in behavior, abundance, and appearance as the climate shifts. Join Josiah for a discussion of what decades of research tell us about climate change's impact on birds, and what the future may hold.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Outing: 8am - 10am | Details and to Register visit Eventbrite
Presentation Time: 11am in-store talk (no registration required)
Learn more about Josiah here.
OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026 | Fold a Peace Crane with Liz Roberts (In-Store...more details and registration link to come).
Join local artist Liz Roberts for a hands-on introduction to the art of origami. Learn how to fold the traditional paper crane while exploring its symbolism of peace, hope, and connection. No experience necessary, just bring your curiosity and enjoy creating something beautiful with your own hands that you can take home.
Saturday, October 10 | Laurel Ladwig-Leave the Leaves
Saturday, October 17 | Josiah Lavender Bird Outing and Talk
Saturday, October 24 | Welcome Hawks Aloft, Inc. and their Avian Ambassadors - All About Owls!
November Highlights
Interested in the state of Wildlife in New Mexico? Save the date for the inaugural New Mexico Wildlife Conference.
Wild Birds Unlimited Santa Fe and Albuquerque East is a sponsor of this event.
New Mexico Wildlife Conference
November 6 & 7, 2026 | Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The inaugural New Mexico Wildlife Conference will take place on November 6–7, 2026. Hosted in collaboration with Hawks Aloft, Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the New Mexico Wildlife Center, and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, the conference will feature a full day of concurrent workshops followed by a day of scientific presentations. Speakers from universities in New Mexico and Colorado, Tribal Nations, and governmental agencies will share the latest research, conservation efforts, and best practices in wildlife care and management. The conference will also provide New Mexico wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians with the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, which are now required for licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the state.
To learn more about our friends at Hawks Aloft and their mission go here.