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Date & Time

May 4-9
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Songbird Welcome Home Week

Celebrate Songbird Welcome Home Week at the Zoo as we honor the incredible journeys of migratory songbirds and share simple actions we can all take to welcome them to and through our city. All week long, follow along with themed days on our social channels and from May 4-9 stop by stations throughout the Zoo between 10:00 and 1:00 to discover easy, bird-friendly choices you can make at home and in your community.

Then join us on Saturday for World Migratory Bird Day (10:00 –1:00), with hands-on activities, interactive stations, and ways to take action for our feathered friends.

Big journeys start with small steps, come learn how you can help make every stop along the way safer for birds!

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Off-Site Free Event

Star Wars Night: A Bird & Star-Friendly Skies Event with the Cincinnati Observatory

Location: Cincinnati Observatory, 3489 Observatory Pl. Cincinnati, OH 45208
Limited parking in front of buildings, follow signs for overflow parking in the field behind the observatory

Time: 7:30–10:00 PM (weather dependent; be sure to check Zoo and Observatory event pages day-of to confirm event status)

May the Fourth be with you… under the stars.

Join the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Observatory, and DarkSky Ohio for a one-of-a-kind evening where galaxies far, far away meet the wildlife right above us. On May 4, 2026, from 7:30–10:00 PM, step into a cosmic celebration that blends astronomy, conservation, and a touch of interstellar fun.

Peer through telescopes as the night sky comes alive, wander through interactive stations, and discover how simple lighting choices here on Earth can protect migrating birds, nocturnal wildlife, and our shared view of the universe. (Spoiler alert: migration is happening overhead right now.)

Feel free to come dressed in bird or Star Wars attire and enjoy a relaxed, community vibe with plenty of space to explore.

The Cookiefection food truck will be there so BYOB (bring your own blue milk) or other favorite beverage!

Event Highlights:

  • Telescope viewing of the night sky
  • Hands-on educational exhibits about wildlife-friendly lighting
  • Insights into bird migration and nocturnal animals
  • Tips for making your home more wildlife- and star-friendly

This special evening also helps shine a light (the right kind!) on conservation efforts leading into World Migratory Bird Day (May 9) because even small changes can make a galaxy of difference.

Grab your lightsaber or a flashlight with a wildlife-friendly bulb and join us for a night of little science, a little starlight, and a whole lot of Force for birds and stars!

Feathered Futures: From Backyard Birding to Big Conservation

May 7th at 7:00 on Zoom

Register here (Webinar will be recorded and registrants will receive a link to the recording)

Just ahead of World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th join bird nerds Mollie and Martyn for a lively conversation about their favorite birds and what you can do to ensure our feathered friends have a bright future in Ohio and along their flyways.

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Martyn is a Wildlife Communications Specialist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, providing education for the H2Ohio program, mostly in northwest Ohio. Originally from England, Martyn moved to Ohio in 2018 to live with his wife Morgan who he met while they were both studying for their postgraduate degrees in South Africa. Following roles with the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center and Erie MetroParks, Martyn joined the Ohio Division of Wildlife in summer 2024. Outside of work, Martyn’s life revolves around his twin girls, participating in parkruns, and – of course – birdwatching.

Mollie is the Director of Community Partnerships in Conservation at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. When she’s not co-designing conservation initiatives and collaborative partnerships to help people and wildlife thrive togehter, you’ll likely find her on trails, tending a wildlife-friendly garden, or sending “it’s too early” morning texts to friends with screenshots of what Merlin just picked up.

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Saving Songbirds

Learn more about actions you can take to help save songbirds!

More Info