Excited about birding, but not sure where to start?

Register now to join Kristine Rivers with Birding for Fun for her next series of Beginner Birding Virtual Classes! Classes will be held via Zoom on Mondays at 7pm. Register for the entire series or just the topics that interest you!

Classes are designed to be interactive, and you will get the most benefit from participating live. All classes are recorded, however, so if you miss one you can just view the video to get caught up!

Duration

1 Hour per Class

Cost

Register for the series and save!
$40 per 4-week session (Part 1 or Part 2)
$75 per 8-week session (Parts 1 & 2)
$15 per class (freestyle – pick the topics that interest you!)

To check for availability for any particular date, go to the class calendar here. 

When you select the date, you will get another link to register for 1 or all classes.

Enter in VMS as AT: Other

PART 1: BIRDING BASICS

Join us for a relaxed introduction to birding!

January 6 – 27, 2025

• Monday, January 6, 2025: Intro to Birding – Find out why the Upper Texas Coast area offers some of the best birding in the world, and how you can get involved! We’ll also review some common species of birds in our area, with tips on identification.
• Monday, January 13, 2025: 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.
• Monday, January 20, 2025: 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.
• Monday, January 27, 2025: 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

Gain a deeper understanding to improve your birding skills!

February 3 – 24, 2025

• Monday, February 3, 2025: Location, 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.
• Monday, February 10, 2025: 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.
• Monday, February 17, 2025: 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!
• Monday, February 24, 2025: Spring Migration – Spring migration is an exciting time to go birding with all the beautiful migrants passing through our area. We’ll talk about migration trends, and take a closer look at some of the species that you may see and hear.

Access the calendar for sign up here