AT: Birding Basics: Birding Skills Virtual Classes – Summer Series

This is a Virtual Birding curriculum.  Beginning Birding is a virtual series covering birding basics and birding skills with instructor Kristine Rivers.  Classes are Monday nights at 7pm for 1 hour, and may be booked individually or as an entire series.  Fees apply, starting at $15 per class and discounts for series.

Important note:  Topic sequences may change depending on number of participants, but the Monday series dates will remain unchanged.  Updates will be shown on the host website. 

To register for classes visit webpage here.

Curriculum Topics include:

(Part 1 Birding Basics) How to Select Binoculars & Field Guides – Excited about birding, but not sure where to start? This class will give you insight into how to select the binoculars and field guides that are right for you, so you can feel confident when making purchasing decisions.

(Part 1 Birding Basics) Understanding Your Birding Field Guide – Crest, crown, speculum, undertail coverts, supercilium—seriously? Don’t let the terminology in your field guide confuse you! We’ll help you make sense of what everything means, in easy to understand language, using photos of birds in our area as examples. Have your field guide nearby if you would like to refer to it during class.

(Part 1 Birding Basics) Using Your Birding Field Guide – When you’re just starting out, using your field guide to try to identify a bird in the field can be difficult! We’ll help you narrow down where to look in your field guide, and talk about different identification methods using size and shape, behavior and habitat clues. Then you’ll have a chance to practice your identification skills, so be sure to have your favorite field guide handy!

(Part 2 Birding Skills) Location, Location! Understanding Habitat – Birds are an amazingly diverse group of animals with over 10,000 species worldwide, because they have adapted over time to survive in almost every type of habitat. We’ll take a close look at the many different habitat types in our area, and the kinds of birds that each attracts.

(Part 2 Birding Skills) Bird’s Eye View on Behavior – Fascinated with bird behavior? So are we! Join us for this special presentation using our personal videos of a variety of birds in action to learn how you can use behavior to help with identification.

(Part 2 Birding Skills) It’s Time for a Makeover! Understanding Plumage Variation – In this interactive presentation, we’ll discuss the reasons for plumage variations; how molting can affect identification; and color changes of bills, lores, legs, and feet. Bring your favorite field guide to practice your identification skills!

(Part 2 Birding Skills) : Rat-a-tat-tat! Who’s That? Nature’s Drummers – Woodpeckers are fascinating birds with amazing physiological adaptations and behavioral habits. We’ll discuss how their anatomical structure protects them from injury, then take a closer look at species that are common along the Upper Texas Coast.

Log in VMS under AT: Skills Enhancement Courses