Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Troy Bynum of TB Wildlife Photography LLC for a two-mile guided birdwatching walk. We’ll hike along both the Belmont Plateau Cross Country Course and the historic Trolley Trail, two excellent and tranquil spots to connect with nature. This time of year, Philly’s green spaces are bustling with migrants as well as year-round species, and Troy will guide our eyes and ears as we look and listen for birds in both the open meadows and forested areas of the trail.

This hike is part of our Second Saturday Guided Hike Series. These hikes occur from 10 AM–12 PM on the second Saturday of every month (May–November). All of these hikes depart from Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park. Please see below for the full schedule.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Troy Bynum, owner of TB Wildlife Photography LLC, is not only an enthusiastic birder but also a passionate wildlife photographer from Philadelphia, PA. Troy’s work focuses on capturing and showcasing the remarkable colors, intricate patterns, and rich textures that are abundant throughout the natural world. In his work, Troy draws attention to the oftentimes overlooked naturally occurring beauty found in the wild. Troy is on a mission to accentuate and celebrate the inherent magnificence of nature.

TICKETS: Free**, donations appreciated. Registration is required.

**We are proud to be able to offer these events for free. However, there is limited capacity for all of our hikes. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows can take away tickets from others. We ask that you be mindful of this and please only register if you plan to attend.

2025 SECOND SATURDAY GUIDED HIKE SERIES SCHEDULE
Please continue to check back as fall topics will be added soon.

May 10: Hiking 101 with the Appalachian Mountain Club

June 14: Birdwatching Walk with Troy Bynum

July 12: Tree Tour with Andrew Kirkpatrick

August 9: Guided Hike + Meditation with Krista Nelson

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• This hike is roughly two miles over a combination of hilly dirt trails and flat gravel paths (easy to moderate exertion).
• Hikes are appropriate for adults and mature adolescents.
• Please dress according to weather conditions and wear good hiking shoes (boots/sneakers).
• Bring water (drinking water is not available in the park) and a snack.
• Unfortunately, there are no bathrooms along the hike route so please plan accordingly.
• Please bring your own binoculars if you have them. If you do not have a pair, please reach out to programs@myphillypark.org as we do have a limited number available to borrow.
• This event is part of our Second Saturday Guided Hike Series. The hikes are not dependent on one another so feel free to sign up for one or for more than one!
• We will leave a few minutes after the scheduled start time. Please arrive at the departure location at least five minutes early. We cannot guarantee that latecomers can join after the group has departed.
• Space is limited in this hike and registration is required. If you cannot attend an event, please show courtesy to fellow parkgoers and try to cancel your registration with advance notice so that someone else can participate. Repeat no-shows may not be able to register for future free hikes.

PARKING/GETTING THERE: We’ll meet at the parking lot across from Belmont Mansion, overlooking the city skyline. There is plenty of free parking available in the lot. As always, never leave valuables in your car! If traveling by public transit, the nearest stop is at Belmont Ave and Belmont Mansion/Fairmount Park Drive – a half-mile walk from the start. The closest Indego bike station is at Parkside and Belmont Ave – also a half-mile walk from the start.

QUESTIONS?: Feel free to reach out to programs@myphillypark.org.

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