Claflin students go birding with Audubon campus chapter

Jennifer Tyrrell (right) is pictured alongside Friends of The Earth Members (Nia Johnson, Aiyana Uter and Maricellyn McDonald) looking for birds through binoculars. (Photos provided by Sydney Walsh/Audubon)

The National Audubon Society gave Claflin students the opportunity to explore nature and learn about birds in Orangeburg during a climate watch with Friends of the Earth, an Audubon campus chapter.

On Feb. 5, Jennifer Tyrrell, community science and research program manager at the National Audubon Society, invited students to join her at 12 points around campus and the surrounding area, where they hoped to find and count bluebirds. The activity provided access to conservation science in a fun, engaging and exiting way.

“There are so many health benefits to birding or just being in nature that I think students and young people can experience some much-needed stress relief, get some fresh air and sunshine,” Tyrrell said. “Getting younger people involved also fosters new stewards for the environment.”

The National Audubon Society has the goal of bird conservation and protection through research, policymaking and outreach. Climate Watch is a community science program that has the goal of monitoring the adaptation of 12 target species to climate change. Bluebirds are one of those species.

Also joining the group was Sydney Walsh, staff network photographer at Audubon. Walsh shared the importance of these community-based programs.

“Community science and local Audubon chapters, including student-led chapters like Claflin’s Friends of the Earth, are important because it’s people who not only care about birds, but their local communities as well,” Walsh said.

Bird surveys are a key part of Tyrrell's research but the opportunity to complete a climate watch survey alongside students was particularly special.

“I often do these surveys alone, so it was really fun to have company, and it was great to have the group react with excitement when we finally found our target birds, or some new species we hadn't encountered yet,” Tyrrell said.

The survey took students to stops all around Orangeburg – a farm, some neighborhoods and even right on the Claflin campus. For some stops, there were no bluebirds present, while at others there were many to see. Tyrrell provided insight to the group on how to identify the birds based on colors, flight and sounds.

“Jen helped guide us through the experience … it’s such a grounding experience to be outside but be present and notice the little things around us,” said Aiyana Uter, president of Friends of the Earth.

Other noted species observed were meadowlarks, robins, mourning doves, geese and crows. At one stop outside of an industrial complex, a Cooper’s hawk flew right through the group.

“I saw so many different kinds of birds and was able to see their different patterns and colors. I think the most exciting thing I saw was a bluebird for the first time,” Uter said.

As the leader of a campus chapter, Uter has found continued support from Audubon. She was even recognized with Audubon’s Dare to Soar Award in 2025.

The partnership with Audubon has helped her find purpose in environmentalism and conservation.

“Although I care about conservation for both people and birds, I mainly care about it for our planet,” Uter said. “We wouldn’t exist without it, and I believe that we take it for granted.

“We need to treat it better, to give it love and the protection it deserves.”

Jadon Edwards points out a bird flying overhead to Claflin student Morgan Springs.

Claflin student Robynne Solomon listens enthusiastically for birds using a mobile bird call identifier app.

An eastern bluebird perches on a branch.