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Yardies. Celebrate Your Backyard Birds.


Birding begins at home — and every yard counts.

The Yardies Program is a fun way for NAAS members to track the bird species they see in or from their yards. Whether you live on a small plot or a sprawling woodland property, your yard is a habitat—and every bird you spot adds to your personal “yard list.”

Created by NAAS member Terry Blows, the Yardies Program has become one of our most-loved traditions. It celebrates everyday birding, encourages habitat stewardship, and strengthens our community.

Yardies awards are presented at our monthly program meetings in Flagstaff and the Sedona/Verde Valley.



How It Works

A “yard bird” includes any species you can identify while you are in your yard—seen or heard. That means:

  • A Bald Eagle soaring overhead
  • A distant Gambel’s Quail calling
  • A hummingbird at your feeder
  • Migrant birds passing over during the spring and fall

If you can see or hear it from your yard, it counts. This program is built on the honor system, and is open to all current NAAS members.


How to Submit Your Yard List

To receive your award:

    • Compile your yard bird list (existing lists qualify). We recommend using eBird so that you are also contributing to community science.
    • Email your local Yardies coordinator who will email you back with some questions like which birds you would like on your certificate/plaque.
    • Let us know if you grant permission to publish your name/photo in The Blackhawk Watch or the NAAS website.
    • Awards will be presented at the next NAAS membership meeting you can attend or mailed if you are unable to attend a meeting.


Award Levels

 As your yard list grows, so do your achievements! Yardies receive certificates and plaques at the following milestones:

    • 25 species — Certificate
    • 50 species — Plaque with a bird photo of your choice
    • 75 species — An addendum to the plaque
    • 100 species— Larger, ornate plaque with 2–3 birds of your choice
    • 125, 150, 175 species — Additional upgrades to the large plaque

Awards are presented during NAAS membership meetings in your choice of location - Sedona/Verde Valley or Flagstaff.



Why Join the Yardies?

The Yardies Program is about more than recognition — it’s about celebrating the joy of birding where you live.

By participating, you help:

1. Celebrate birding at home

Discover the richness of the species that visit your yard year-round.

2. Support local habitat

Many Yardies choose to install feeders, provide water, and add native plants — supporting birds in all seasons.

3. Contribute to conservation

Your observations can support broader community science, including feeder-watch contributions during the Christmas Bird Count.

4. Build community

Share milestones at meetings, get recognized in The Blackhawk Watch, and inspire others to start their own yard list.

Questions: Please email us at contactus@birdnaas.org.


Every Yard Counts. Every Bird Counts.


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Northern Arizona Audubon Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to engaging people in appreciating and protecting birds and the places they need.

EIN:31-1742628

PO Box 1496 Sedona, AZ 86339

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in between mile markers 365 & 366) 

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Flagstaff, AZ 86005

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