eBird and other tools

Instructor: Derek Heins (dlheins@gmail.com)

This class will equip birders to make full use of eBird, wise use of Merlin, and incorporate other recording tools to improve their birding experience.  It is aimed at reasonably skilled birders who may have some experience with eBird and Merlin but wish to take their skills to the next level and prepare to teach other birders how to do the same.  Through interactive Zoom presentations and field trips, we will learn how to use eBird at home and in the field to explore bird distributions and frequency, plan outings and document your sightings. We will also learn how to use the Merlin app and other tools to ID birds in the field, record their vocalizations, and attach that data captured in the field to our eBird records. 

Participants should be fairly comfortable navigating with their cell phones.

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

            Five Thursday evening Zoom sessions, June 12, 19, 26; July 10, 17 : 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
            (Zoom link will be provided when you register.)
            Four 2 hour Saturday morning field trips, June 14, 21, 28; July 12.

Field trips typically start at 9 am. Past field trips destinations have included Arrowhead Marsh, Alvarado Park at Wildcat Canyon, Canyon Meadows at Redwood Park, Miller-Knox, Middle Harbor and  Middle Lakes at Golden Gate Park.  The terrain is mostly level and the trails are paved or hard-packed.

Limited to 12 participants.

Price: $260 ($208 for GGBA members, a 20% discount).

Registration opens at 1 pm on Wednesday, May 7 and closes at 11 pm on Wednesday, June 11.