The AOS 2026 meeting has several exciting daily networking events and opportunities throughout the week, designed to meet the needs of ornithologists from diverse backgrounds and career stages. Bookmark this page for updates on our networking and social events; times are subject to change. All times listed are local time (U.S. Eastern).
Some events require separate registration, fees, and waivers. Details about registration are (or will be soon) available below.
Daily Events
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
Our AOS 2026 Registration Desk/Check-In Stations will be open daily:
- Monday, 3 August: 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, 4 August: 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, 5 August: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 6 August: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Friday, 7 August: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Student Mentor–Mentee Meet-Ups
Organizer: Student Affairs Committee
Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 3–7 August (exact date and time to be arranged by student and their assigned mentor)
The student-mentor meet up is an SAC-sponsored opportunity designed to provide AOS student members with professional networking tailored to their specific interests and goals. Students are paired with professionals based on career stages, research foci, and professional interests. This initiative fosters communication to potentially establish connections for long-term success. Mentors should coordinate a convenient time to meet with students and discuss career and research goals.
Early Professional-Mentor Meet-Ups
Organizers: Marcella Baiz and Jenn Houtz
Days/Times: Monday−Friday, 3–7 August 2026 (exact date and time to be arranged by early professional and their assigned mentor)
Similar to the student-mentor meetup (where students are the mentees), the Early Professional-Mentor Meet-Up is a new opportunity for early professionals and/or postdoctoral researchers to connect with mentors in a small group setting. This career stage can be a time of change and career transition so we want to offer the opportunity for early professionals including postdoctoral fellows to meet with mentors in various academic and nonacademic career paths. Groups of 1-2 early professionals will each be matched with a mentor based on their research interests and career goals.
The mentoring group will meet for an hour during the week of the conference. You will receive an email from one of the Early Professionals Committee co-chairs closer to the date of the conference to connect you with your group. It is the responsibility of the mentor to follow up with mentees to schedule the meeting after the initial email introduction initiated by the Early Professionals Committee co-chair.
eBird Birding Competition
Daily, at your leisure
Details will be available soon for our AOS 2026 eBird Birding Competition, with daily prizes.
Flocks Exhibition Booth
Days/Hours: TBA
Location: TBA
The AOS, Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO), and Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) have signaled a commitment to diversifying ornithology broadly, and increasing a sense of belonging through the development of affinity groups in each Society. Towards this goal, we have established affinity groups, which we are calling Flocks, that will work across ornithological societies to serve the diverse needs of people engaged in bird science and conservation. Stop by our booth to learn more about Flocks and how you can get involved!
Monday, 3 August
Morning Bird Walk – Orchard Hill
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Monday, 3 August 2026, 6:30–7:30 a.m. (this walk repeats on the morning of 7 August)
Location: Orchard Hill
Meet-up location: TBA
Join us for an approximately one-hour bird walk at Orchard Hill on the University of Massachusetts campus. We will walk through the trails and experience one of the best birding locations in Hampshire County. We should see local year-round residents such as Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), and Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Orchard Hill is a consistent migrant trap, so we have the potential to see early migrant warblers and other songbirds. It continues to host avian research including migratory movement and stopover, foraging, and movement.
Silent Auction (donated item drop-off)
Monday, 3 August, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Registration/Check-in Desk
Student-Early Professional Mixer
Monday, 3 August, 3:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
The Student-Early Professional Mixer serves as a casual networking event for students and early professionals to mingle and chat about shared research and career interests.
AOS Fellows Meeting & Dinner
Monday, 3 August
Meeting: 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Dinner: 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Location: Amherst Room
The annual meeting of the AOS Fellows will take place Monday, 3 August at 3:30 p.m. Invitees will receive a separate email with the agenda and other documents. Following the Fellows’ meeting, there will be a dinner for Fellows and their guests beginning at 5:00 p.m.. Tickets are $50.00 each ($75 if purchased after 15 July) and can be purchased through the online AOS Member Portal.
Keynote Address & Opening Reception
Monday, 3 August
Keynote: 7:00 p.m.; Location: Grand Ballroom DE
Opening Reception: 8:00 p.m.; Campus Center Auditorium
Our meeting kicks off with a presentation by our keynote speaker from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Immediately following we will move to the opening reception where we will greet old friends and colleagues and meet new ones as we look forward to the week’s programming of science, professional development, and community building.
Tuesday, 4 August
Morning Bird Walk – Sylvan Woods and Fields
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Tuesday, 4 August 2026; 6:15–8:15 a.m.
Location: Sylvan Woods and Fields
Meet-up location: TBA
Join us for a morning bird walk at the Sylvan Woods and Fields. This walk will go through hardwood forests, hemlock groves (with individual trees in excess of 200 years old), and agricultural fields that furnish teaching and research opportunities for the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. Species to expect are Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), and American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). The site also provides ample opportunities to see early migrants.
Field Trip | Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
4 August, 6:15–8:15 a.m.
Registration/Transportation: Self-transportation to the site. Register for the walk on the Mass Audubon website (link coming soon!).
Capacity: 15 People
Enjoy a bird walk at Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Participants will walk through the sanctuary’s grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Located close to the Connecticut River, habitats include floodplain forest, a large freshwater marsh, buttonbush marshes, an abandoned oxbow, vernal pools, red maple swamps, lowland oak-maple-pine-hemlock forest, old apple orchard, crabapple orchard, shrubby hedgerows, and grasslands. The diverse range of healthy habitats creates opportunities to see an abundance of species in one trip. Species to expect are American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Green Heron (Butorides virescens), Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), and Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Early migrants are also a possibility throughout the walk.
Conference 101
Tuesday, 4 August, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Location: TBA
Please join us for an information session on how to navigate the AOS conference. We will provide information on research, networking, and social opportunities that will occur during the conference, as well as recommendations on how to be successful this week. Finally, we will review existing committees and resources available to participants to be successful, with an emphasis for students. At the end there will be time for questions.
Golden Auks Luncheon
Tuesday, 4 August, 12:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
$25 per person
The Golden Auks luncheon is an informal gathering for senior ornithologists who want to connect with colleagues. Please sign up to attend this luncheon through the meeting registration form when registering for AOS 2026.
Silent Auction (bidding open)
4–5 August, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
The Student Affairs Committee is organizing a Silent Auction this year! Attendees will be able to browse and bid on auction items in the poster hall. Proceeds will support the AOS mission in their objectives to increase accessibility to annual conferences. Winning bidders will be contacted directly and can pay for and pick up their items at the auction table beginning on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. ET.
We are soliciting donations from the community for the Silent Auction. Please indicate if you plan to contribute one or more items by completing this short online form, providing more details on what you plan to donate.
Wednesday, 5 August
Field Trip | Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Wednesday, 5 August, 6:15–8:15 a.m.
Registration/Transportation: Self-transportation to the site. Registration TBA.
Capacity: 20 People
The Montague Plains WMA consists of a 1,500-acre state wildlife refuge and unique ecological area, operated by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Montague Plains WMA is located on a large sand delta, formed more than 10,000 years ago when melt water streams from the retreating glaciers emptied into Glacial Lake Hitchcock—a huge lake that covered much of what is now Montague and the Connecticut River Valley during the glacial period. You will bird through the pitch pine forests, scrub oak, and grassland habitats. Potential species include a variety of woodland and shrub-dwelling species but featuring: Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor), Great-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), and Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) are common and vocal after sunset. This site continues to host a range of studies on the avifauna and their response to management.
Rainbow Lorikeets Sunrise Social
Wednesday, 5 August, 7:00–8:30 a.m.
Location: TBA
The Rainbow Lorikeets are organizing a networking social for 2SLGBTQIA+ (two spirit, lesbian, gay, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual) attendees in our AOS 2026 community. This will be the main event for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to meet and network at our meeting.
AOS Editorial Board Luncheon
Wednesday, 5 August, 12:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
To thank you for your valued contributions to the AOS, we will be having our joint Ornithology and Ornithological Applications Editorial Board luncheon. Join us for this special gathering of Senior Editors, Associate Editors, Editors-in-Chief, the Managing Editor, and fellow members of the editorial board. This event offers a unique opportunity to discuss submission trends, peer review, and FAQs for Associate Editors – while fostering connections with colleagues who typically interact only via email. Invitations will be sent by email to members of the AOS Editorial Board.
A Wandering Chat: a social mixer for non-academic researchers
Wednesday, 5 August, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA
Research from outside the academy is an important component of advancing ornithological science and conservation. If you are somebody who has wandered outside of academia for your research career (or are interested in learning more about these career paths), consider joining our community for our meeting. This is an informal social to build relationships, expand networks, and foster new collaborations.
Silent Auction (bidding open)
4–5 August 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
The Student Affairs Committee is organizing a Silent Auction this year! Attendees will be able to browse and bid on auction items in the poster hall. Proceeds will support the AOS mission in their objectives to increase accessibility to annual conferences. Winning bidders will be contacted directly and can pay for and pick up their items at the auction table beginning on Thursday at 12:00 p.m ET.
We are soliciting donations from the community for the Silent Auction. Please indicate if you plan to contribute one or more items by completing this short online form, providing more details on what you plan to donate.
Thursday, 6 August
Woodcock Waddle 5K Fun Walk/Run/Ride (wheelchair accessible)
Thursday, 6 August, 6:30 a.m.
Location: TBA
Registration Fee: $25
Kick off your morning with some fresh air and great company at our Woodcock Waddle, this year’s 5K Fun Walk/Run/Ride (wheelchair accessible) at UMass Amherst! We’ll gather at 6:30 a.m. on campus before setting out on a scenic route that will highlight the beauty of UMass in the early morning light. The exact course is still being finalized, but it will be designed to be welcoming for all paces and fully wheelchair accessible.
Whether you prefer to walk, run, or roll, this is a fun, low‑pressure way to get moving, meet fellow attendees, and enjoy the campus before the day’s sessions begin. Light refreshments—water, fruit, and snacks—will be available at the start/finish area, and volunteers will be stationed along the route to support participants.
A signed waiver will be required in order to participate in the event. Participants will be contacted via email.
Morning Bird Walk – Wildwood Cemetery
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Thursday, 6 August, 6:15–8:15 a.m.
Location: Wildwood Cemetery
Meet-up location: TBA
Join us for a morning of birding at the historic Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst. A premier hotspot in Amherst, the walk will go through woodlands, gardens, and around the scenic pond. This popular spot to see migrants will offer the potential to see numerous species in the early stages of migration. Other species to expect are Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), Green Heron (Butorides virescens), and Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).
Field Trip | Conte National Wildlife Refuge
6 August, two session time options: 6:15–8:15 a.m. & 8:15-10:15 a.m.
Registration/Transportation: Self-transportation to the site. Registration TBA.
Capacity: 15 people per session
Visit the Fort River Division of the Conte National Wildlife Refuge in Hadley to experience a banding session at the Fort River MAPS banding station. Participants will have the opportunity to accompany the banding crew on net checks to extract birds from nets, learn about banding a variety of eastern forest birds (including determining species, sex, and age), and hear about how the data collected by the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) program informs understanding of the demographic drivers of bird population change across North America.
Over the past 10 years, 50 species have been captured at the Fort River MAPS station, which has also been the locus of avian migration research, hosts an active MOTUS station, and was a translocation site for Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), who were coaxed from a building slated for demolition to an adjacent structure specially designed to accommodate the displaced population. The more regularly captured species include American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Veery (Catharus fuscescens), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), and Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva).
AOS 2026 Meeting Attendee Group Photo
Thursday following the morning plenary (tentative day/time; subject to change)
Location: TBA
Silent Auction (item pick-up)
Thursday, 6 August, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Winning bidders will be contacted directly and can pay for and pick up their prizes near check-in/registration desk beginning on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. following the plenary session. Items cannot be shipped to the winning bidder; if you cannot pick up your item(s), please designate someone to pick up your items for you and let us know who that person is.
AOS “Meet the Editors”
Thursday, 6 August, 12:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Everyone is welcome to this session to meet the Editors-in-Chief, Senior Editors, and Managing Editor for the AOS journals Ornithology and Ornithological Applications. This session should be particularly helpful for students and early-career professionals. The editors will discuss what they are looking for in submitted manuscripts, the review process from submission to revision, and how to increase the chances that your manuscript will be reviewed favorably. After comments by the editors, the session will be devoted to questions from the audience. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Quiz Bowl
Thursday, 6 August, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA
Join us for the annual AOS 2026 Quiz Bowl. The Student Affairs Committee will host this popular bird-themed quiz game, a lively and engaging trivia event for meeting attendees. Participants will form teams of three and compete for prizes; teams do not need to be assembled in advance, as groups may be formed at the beginning of the event. The competition will feature several rounds of pub-style trivia followed by a Final Jeopardy round. The top three student teams from the pub round will be eligible to advance to the Final Jeopardy round.
Bird Band Jam
Thursday, 6 August, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Location: The Drake (capacity limited to 200)
Join us for a lively, bird-themed music and dance celebration! Expect an upbeat atmosphere! Some instruments will be provided (wing it if you’d like!) for those who want to perform. Enjoy plenty of chances to mingle and move. No outside food or drink, but good vibes guaranteed.
Friday, 7 August
Field Trip | Lake Warner – Birding by Canoe
Friday, 7 August, 6:15–8:15 a.m.
Registration/Transportation: Transportation available. For more information and to register visit: https://www.adventureeast.com/details/birding-by-canoe-lake-warner
Capacity: 15 people
Enjoy a calm, shoreline-rich paddle on Lake Warner as you explore winding wetland channels, stands of reeds, and lily-pad corridors. Guides help set a relaxed pace that supports quiet observation, with time to watch for movement along the banks, listen for calls in the cattails, and pause when wildlife presents itself. This gentle outing is ideal for immersing yourself in the natural rhythms of the lake.
Morning Bird Walk – Orchard Hill
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Friday, 7 August 2026, 6:30–7:30 a.m.
Location: Orchard Hill
Meet-up location: TBA
Join us for an approximately one-hour bird walk at Orchard Hill on the University of Massachusetts campus. We will walk through the trails and experience one of the best birding locations in Hampshire County. We should see local year-round residents such as Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), and Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Orchard Hill is a consistent migrant trap, so we have the potential to see early migrant warblers and other songbirds. It continues to host avian research including migratory movement and stopover, foraging, and movement.
Closing Session
Friday, 7 August 2026, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Join us for a memorable evening at UMass Amherst as we celebrate the conclusion of our annual meeting. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere on campus while connecting with fellow attendees and reflecting on the week’s conversations and discoveries. A buffet dinner will be served in our designated dining area, with cash bars available. It’s the perfect way to unwind, continue meaningful conversations, and close out an inspiring conference together.
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