51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Magazine Magazine Issues

Fall 2026 Issue

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The 2026 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Photography Awards: Winners
September 02, 2026 — We invite you to enjoy the winners of 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú’s annual photo awards—featuring stunning moments with birds across the hemisphere.
51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Photography Awards
Smoke from Wildfires Is a Growing Health Threat to Both People and Birds
September 15, 2026 — Catastrophic wildfires are stalling decades of clean air progress. Now scientists are asking: How can we help birds navigate a hazier future?
Conservation News
A person stands inside the hollow base of a walking maple tree, surrounded by a swamp.
Mac Stone Puts His Photography to Work to Save Southern Swamps
September 25, 2026 — Wading alongside gators and cottonmouths, the conservation photographer uses striking imagery to protect the Southeast’s most underappreciated—and imperiled—wetlands.
Profiles
How Women Hunters Are Reviving a Fading Tradition—and a Vital Conservation Tool
September 23, 2026 — Fewer Americans are taking up hunting, which means fewer dollars for conservation. But a growing community of women are stepping up with fresh approaches to sustain the age-old practice.
Feature Stories
Aerial of thawing tundra on the side of a frozen lake.
Can Teshekpuk Lake Be Saved? Gerrit Vyn’s Images Make the Case for a Vital Arctic Haven
September 23, 2026 — As industrial pressures mount, the photographer has dedicated himself to documenting—and protecting—the remote refuge, among the world’s most important bird-breeding grounds.
Photo Essay
A crowd gathers in a parking lot taking pictures of a huge flock of Purple Martins flying overhead.
Across the South, Purple Martin Parties Are the Hottest Ticket in Town
September 25, 2026 — Every summer, hundreds of thousands of roosting swallows draw eager crowds to urban parking lots for an unforgettable spectacle.
Bird Migration
Two people canoe on a pristine lake, lush forest extending into the distance.
The Fight Over Toxic Mining Returns to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters
September 23, 2026 — Now that Congress has rolled back protections from mining in its watershed, the beloved haven for paddlers and wildlife is once again at risk.
Conservation News
Portrait of Ethan Tapper leaning on his truck.
How One Vermont Forester Brought a 175-Acre Woodland Back to Life
September 23, 2026 — In his work, ecologist and author Ethan Tapper explores and chronicles what it takes to help nature recover—including plenty of tough love.
Profiles
A row of jugs of maple syrup with the bird-friendly sticker.
How Sweet: More Maple Syrup Producers Are Managing Their Forests for Birds
September 24, 2026 — As 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú's Bird-Friendly Maple program expands, syrup makers in the Northeast and Great Lakes are tending their sugarbushes to foster forest species.
Conservation News
Portrait of Holly Greenberg in front of a tapestry of scrap-fabric birds.
Thousands of Handmade Birds Spotlight a Deadly Migration Toll in Chicago
September 25, 2026 — Through her citywide public workshops, artist Holly Greenberg aims to collect nearly 11,000 cloth birds to rally Chicagoans around the urgent need for bird-safe buildings.
Arts & Culture
Illustration of a group of people on a boat watching seabirds.
A Beginner's Guide to Pelagic Birding (and Why It's Worth the Seasickness)
September 21, 2026 — Keen to hit the high seas for elusive seabirds and rarities? From what to wear to how not to hurl, follow this expert advice before shoving off.
Birding Advice
Two Black-footed Albatrosses in the ocean fight over a fish.
Visit These 4 Ports for Exceptional Pelagic Birding
September 21, 2026 — Set your sights on coasts around the country for exciting offshore excursions.
Destinations
A landscape of a grassland with a small pond.
At Conservation Burial Grounds, People and Birds Find a Shared Sanctuary
September 21, 2026 — A growing number of properties across the United States are being protected as a final resting place for humans—and a permanent habitat for wildlife.
Conservation News
A Bay-breasted Warbler perches sideways on a branch with leaves starting to turn yellow.
Follow These Tips to Identify Tricky Fall Warblers
October 07, 2016 — Here are the visual cues—and behaviors—to look for among drab, quiet autumn migrants.
Bird Identification
Two people birding in a wetland, one wearing a brown coat and the other a bright red and blue coat.
Ask Kenn: Can I See More Birds By Wearing Camouflage?
September 21, 2026 — In the field, blending in and avoiding certain colors might improve your birding—but evidence is limited, writes 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Field Editor Kenn Kaufman.
Birding Advice
A woman wearing a black-and-white top and tall pink boots wades into a pond.
Need a Halloween Costume? Here's How to Turn Any Bird's Look Into Your Own
September 21, 2026 — Follow these three easy tips to create a DIY outfit that will impress no matter the occasion.
Arts & Culture
Four Fallen Songbirds Live on Through Origami
September 25, 2026 — Teenage artist Miles Wu memorializes the window-strike victims he documented while volunteering as a Project Safe Flight collision monitor in New York City.
The Aviary
Two magazine covers with different photos, one of a spoonbill and one of a parrot.
The Big Picture
September 25, 2026 — Let these visuals transport you, and then consider the story of what the birds there need.
Editor’s Note
Four people pitch tents in the snow.
Points of Connection
September 25, 2026 — Arctic habitats support birds across the hemisphere, and we are called to protect these landscapes—wherever we live.
51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú View
Other Issues
Summer 2026
Ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay Are Starving to Death at Disastrous Rates. What Will It Take to Save Them?
Spring 2026
Inside the Movement to Grow More Native Seeds—and Why It Matters More Than Ever
Winter 2025
Tufted Puffins Are Vanishing Across the Pacific Northwest—Can an Ambitious New Effort Save Them?
Fall 2025
The Wild Turkey Is a Comeback Bird We Can’t Take for Granted