The Peter Beck Bird Watching Club
Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager
The Peter Beck Bird Watching Club is a student-led club at Regis. It aims to connect bird enthusiasts with each other and with nature. Through a variety of campus events and outdoor activities, students can come to learn about birds, play bird bingo to win prizes, go hiking and birdwatching, and connect with other students.
The club is open to all students, no experience with birds or birdwatching needed. It focuses on exposing students to the joy of learning about birds, going out into nature to see different birds, and connecting with one another through findings and research.
Every week there are 30 minute campus walks and bird watching. Attendees get to stroll around campus, spot birds, and report bird findings to eBird – an app that allows users to upload recordings and observations and helps users keep track of birding activity, while making data openly available for scientific research, education, and conservation. This is a fun way for participants to immerse themselves in nature, observe birds, and report their findings for research.
About the Club and its Founding Members
The Peter Beck Bird Watching Club was founded by Caden Postiglione, a senior that started the club in Fall 2024. Caden is from Austin, Texas, he has been at Regis for all four years of his undergraduate studies. He is majoring in Business Finance and minoring in Communications. Through the formation of the club, Caden gets to enjoy both his passion for business and his passion for birding. Outside of The Birdwatching Club and Regis, Caden would like to continue pursuing birdwatching because he has a strong passion for birds.
Other members of the club include Emma Pappas who is Vice President, Bridget McGill who is the Secretary, and Jake Carron who is the Treasurer. All of the board members of this club are seniors so it will soon be time to pass off the club to other members.
Club members enjoy their weekly bird walk. Photo courtesy of Caden Postiglione
The Inspiration Behind The Birdwatching Club
Caden was inspired to begin The Birdwatching Club because of Dr. Peter Beck who taught Caden’s brother, Beckett, a bird watching class back in Texas. After seeing how interested and motivated his brother became about birds and birdwatching and after Dr. Peter Beck’s passing, Caden became inspired to begin the birdwatching club in Dr. Peter Beck’s memory.
Caden’s brother, Beckett, once told him, “the only difference between a pro birder and a complete newbie is that the pro has misidentified many more birds” and it encapsulates how The Birdwatching Club encourages people to get out into nature and try something new even, if they aren't initially perfect at it.
What’s Next
Caden’s hope for the future of the club is that it encourages people to have fun, enjoy the events and activities, and find other creative ways to engage with birdwatching. Caden has always enjoyed witnessing people become excited about learning about birds and participating in the many events and activities that connect students and birds.
Additionally, Caden would also like to see the club pursue other big projects such as the 'Bird House Bill' which was passed through the student senate and allowed for two bird houses to be implemented onto campus. The goal was to help migratory birds such as wrens, warblers, and even hummingbirds have a spot to rest during their trip. The Regis campus also received a bird feeder as a donation from Wild Birds Unlimited located by the Chapel.
Other big projects are still in the works. These include an idea for a squirrel removal project in an ethical way, and a lights out program that would allow birds to better navigate migration during the night.
More About Future Events
During Ranger Week on April 16th from 1-3 pm in front of the Student Center Patio, The Birdwatching Club will be partnering with a nonprofit to host another live bird and critter event. Three birds – a bald eagle, hawk, and owl and three critters – a scorpion, a tarantula, and a dwarf rabbit will be available for students to come and see. This will be the fourth time the club will have had live birds on campus.
The Birdwatching Club will also be hosting one final Bird Bingo and Movie on the Quad on April 24th. Prizes and movies are TBD, but they are looking to end the semester with a bang. With many great prizes offered in the past including airpods and a Roku TV, the Bird Bingo event has proven to be the most popular event hosted by The Bird Club.
Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just starting out, The Peter Beck Birdwatching Club is for everyone! You can find more about events, activities, meetings, and other information on the club’s Instagram @regis_bird_watching_