A gorgeous sunrise of North Sentinel, a Norman hotspot at Lake Thunderbird State Park. Photo by Anais Starr.
About the Cleveland County Audubon Society
Based in Norman, Oklahoma.
๐ All Birders Welcome
Whether you watch your backyard feeder, are an expert ornithologist, bird with your snazzy camera, or have never calibrated your binoculars โ birders of all skill levels, types, and ages are welcome to join.
๐ ช Active Season
CCAS is active each September to the following May, with a hiatus during Oklahoma’s quiet (and hot) summer months. Meetings, special activities, local field trips, and day trips are mixed throughout the season.
๐ ฐ Regular Meetings
CCAS meetings are held in the seminar room at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. Enter through the staff entrance about 100 feet to the left (east) of the Museum’s main entrance. All are welcome to attend, parking is free, and no RSVP is required.
๐ ฃ Field Trips
CCAS plans field trips each year, including local excursions around Norman and day-trip adventures across the state, including the annual trip to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.
๐ Christmas Bird Count
CCAS participates in the annual Christmas Bird Count to contribute to citizen science and celebrate with the group’s biggest gathering โ the tally party! Learn more below.
๐ ญ Join the Flock!
CCAS has been around in some form or fashion since the 1920s, and now it’s time for you to join the fun! Contact CCAS President Mark Howery at mkhowery@juno.com to be added to the email list or with any questions.
2026-2027 Meetings & Activities
Scheduling subject to change. All are welcome at all CCAS activities. No RSVP to President Mark Howery required unless noted in the activity description.
- Thursday, September 18 @ 6-8 pm, Rotary Park building
Special event: Annual kickoff party to plan the year’s activities and get together after the summer CCAS break.
Hideaway Pizza provided (including vegetarian options) and additional drinks, snacks, and treats are welcome. No RSVP required.
- Saturday, October 10 @ 8:30 am, Lake Thunderbird State Park South Sentinel walking trail
Local field trip: Approximately 1 mile walk around the paved trail at South Sentinel. Meet in the parking lot to depart together.
Bring your own binoculars, water, etc.
- Thursday, October 15 @ 7 pm, Sam Noble Museum seminar room
Meeting: CCAS President Mark Howery will present on attracting backyard birds to your home garden. Meeting materials coming soon.
Light refreshments provided.
- Saturday, November 7 @ TBA, Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
Day trip: Annual day trip to the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge during fall migration. Anticipate seeing thousands of Sandhill Cranes and, most years, an endangered Whooping Crane or two! The carpool departs early in the morning, birds all morning at the refuge, lunches together in nearby Cherokee, birds some more, and returns to Norman in the late afternoon / evening.
RSVP to Mark appreciated so we know who to expect and coordinate with. Bring your own binoculars, snacks, layered clothing, money for lunch and rest stops, etc.
- Thursday, December 10 @ 7 pm, Sam Noble Museum seminar room
Meeting: Programming TBA and planning for the upcoming Christmas Bird Count. If unable to attend, be sure to contact CCAS President Mark to coordinate your CBC activities with the group.
Light refreshments provided.
- Sunday, January 3, Christmas Bird Count (CBC) & Tally Party
- Count Day: The day Norman birders participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count! If you couldn’t join the December planning meeting, coordinate with Mark Howery for all CBC information you need to participate.
- Tally Party: CCAS ends our count day with our traditional tally party! Hosted by Joan Vassilakos and Anais Starr at the Riverchase neighborhood clubhouse, address 1125 Riviera Dr. Gathering begins at 6:30 pm. Dinner provided, but we welcome other items anyone wants to contribute (especially desserts!). Bring yourself, some CBC spirit, and your bird list!
- Thursday, January 28, time and location TBA
Special meeting: Annual joint meeting with the Sierra Club’s local Red Earth Group. More information TBA.
Light refreshments provided.
- Saturday, February 13 @ TBA, Sooner Lake
Day trip: Planned day trip to Sooner Lake in Stillwater. More details, such as the carpool’s departure time and anticipated sites, TBA.
RSVP appreciated so we know who to anticipate and coordinate with. Bring your own binoculars, snacks, layered clothing, money for lunch and rest stops, etc.
- Thursday, March 18 @ 7 pm, Sam Noble Museum seminar room
Meeting: Vireo and warbler ID presentation in preparation for spring migration to be confirmed.
Light refreshments provided.
- Late March โ date, time and location TBA
Local field trip: Annual joint local field trip with the Sierra Club’s local Red Earth Group. More information TBA.
Bring your own binoculars, water, etc.
- Thursday, April 8 @ 7 pm, Sam Noble Museum seminar room
Meeting: CCAS’s annual group poetry meeting, hosted by CCAS’s own Jennifer Kidney. Bring bird-related poems to share with the group – original poems welcome but not required!
Light refreshments provided.
- Mid / Late April โ date and time TBA, Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area *
Day trip: New day trip to Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Frederick, OK. Carpool and additional planning details TBA.
* This field trip is tentative – birding at Hackberry Flat is highly dependent on local conditions and water levels. CCAS will consider environmental conditions in spring 2027 before confirming or canceling this field trip.
- Thursday, April 22 – Thursday, May 6, Cleveland County Spring Migration Species Count & Tally Party
Special event: Annual 2-week, species-only (not individual birds) count to celebrate spring migration before CCAS breaks for the summer. The evening tally party will be held on Thursday, May 6; location and time TBA.
Burrowing Owl in flight at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of Kay Bishop.
Last updated October 16, 2026.
