Class Entry Test

Instructors: Steve Hunter (shunter@goldengatebirds.org)

Description: You’ve fledged, you’ve taken a beginning birding class or have recently started to bird and know the basics, and are now ready to soar. You know how to use your binoculars, can comfortably identify a few species, perhaps even one or two by ear, but would like to recognize even more, and learn how to go about solving the ones that just stump you.

In this class, we’ll reinforce important aspects of birding such as fieldcraft and strategies of identification, including how to separate some confusingly similar species, with a deeper dive into bird physiology, vocalizations, appearance, and behavior. Our aim is to deepen our appreciation of the amazing creatures that are birds. Spring is a fun time to bird: local breeders are out looking for a mate, late departures are already in their fancy alternate plumage, and there’s always the possibility of a chance encounter with an uncommon or rare bird just passing through. On our field trips we’ll visit locations in the area that will provide us opportunities for observing all of these things.

Recordings of the lecture presentations will be available to class participants for a limited period of time.

Classes: Four Tuesday evening classes by Zoom:  March 25; April 1, 8, 15: 7:00 to 8:30 pm

(Zoom link will be provided when you register.)

Four three-hour Saturday field trips, March 29; April 5, 12, 19: 8 to 11 am

Field trip locations will be announced in class and by email.

Group Size: 20 participants max

Price: $160 ($128 for GGBA members, a 20% discount)

Registration opens at 1 pm on Wednesday, February 5 and closes at 11pm on Monday, March 24.