Birding for Fun

Galveston’s Rosenberg Library is once again offering a free Birding for Fun 8-week series of Beginner Birding virtual classes. These classes have been approved for one hour of AT for each class (unless you have attended previously). You can sign up for the entire series or just the classes that interest you.

Register here: https://rosenberg-library.org/events/library-events/#adult-events (You will need to register for each individual class at this link, or you can register for the entire series by emailing Ashley Welborn at awelborn@rosenberg-library.org.)

Classes will be held on Mondays at 4:30pm via Zoom, with the exception of the second week, which will be held on Tuesday due to the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

Please find descriptions for each of the classes below:

Monday, January 10: Intro to Birding – Find out why our 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.

Tuesday, January 18: 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 24: 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 the class.

Monday, January 31: 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!

Monday, February 7: 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 14: 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 21: 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.

Monday, February 28: 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 if you would like to practice your identification skills.

These popular classes fill up quickly, so please be sure to sign up soon if you’re interested!
Kristine Rivers – 832-372-8236