Naturalist Course
Introduction to Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest
The shorebirds are passing through Washington, and many will spend the winter. This group is often daunting to identify because winter plumages look much alike. This one-evening course will go through techniques that birders use to narrow down the possibilities to smaller groups and then to species. We will cover more than 30 different kinds. We will spend more time on those that are common and difficult to identify. Our goal is to give you more confidence in tackling the ID of this often challenging but enjoyable group.
Contacts
- Tue, Sep 13, 2022 - Wed, Sep 14, 2022
- Committee: Seattle Naturalists Committee
- Members: $30.00 Guests: $50.00
- Availability: 62 (95 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Participants will gain an essential understanding of all the techniques that expert birders use to make their identification. As a result, you should have more confidence in knowing what to look for to separate similar-looking species and how to narrow down the possibilities. The goal is to help you start to learn 30+ species that you might see during a trip to a local park, national wildlife refuge, or other good birding spots in the Pacific Northwest.
This course will be taught in a single 120-minute session over zoom—Tuesday, September 13, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Online Only
You will need access to a computer with a speaker and microphone and a high-speed internet connection. Students will receive information about how to log on to the Zoom meeting will be sent a day or two before the session. We will use the security features in Zoom to avoid the problems being discussed in the media. Zoom offers many features that will allow for a great learning experience.
About the leader
Thomas Bancroft has been a birder and ecologist all his life and has a Ph.D. in Ornithology. He has birded in 48 states, several Canadian providences, and on six continents. Tom began birding at a very young age in Pennsylvania, climbing into the kitchen sink to observe birds outside the window. Just before moving to Seattle, he served as Chief Scientist for National Audubon. Tom is a published author, an avid photographer, and has a wonderful sense of humor.
Danielle Graham grew up playing in the woods and lakes of Northern New England. She has a graduate degree in Natural Resource Planning and worked for various environmental non-profits, including the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Her favorite childhood book was My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, her favorite plant is the maidenhair fern, and she has co-led the Seattle Naturalist group in the past and is an active leader in many things the Mountaineers do.
Badges you will earn:
Basic Bird Identification
This course has no scheduled activities.
Computer with speaker and microphone, as well as connection to high-speed internet.
You must register for this course to see course materials.