Magic and Mystery of Migration, presentations and field trips

Lead Instructor: Bruce Mast (cathrasher4@gmail.com)
Teaching Assistant: Analicia Hawkins

This summer, somewhere in Canada, a Blackpoll Warbler will hatch, fledge, and grow to young
adulthood. Come August, this half-ounce bird will fly 3,000 miles to the Maritime provinces and
then out over the Atlantic Ocean to catch a northwest tailwind that will take it south to around
Bermuda. A northeast trade wind will carry it back to land to complete its 80-hour journey over
2,000 miles of open ocean.  Why? 

Join Bruce Mast and Analicia Hawkins for a four-week exploration of the magic and mystery of
bird migration. We’ll consider why birds migrate, how they navigate, how they fuel their
marathon flights, and the evolutionary forces that have shaped migration over the millennia.  
This is a science-based class for curious adult learners.

Location details and field trip logistics will be provided to registered participants. Field trips
mostly consist of short walks on relatively flat surfaces, usually paved. Most stops will include
restroom or portable toilet access. Weather conditions could range from cold and windy to hot,
sunny, and shadeless.

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

Four Wednesday evening classes by Zoom: September 3, 10, 17, 24: 7 to 9 pm.

 (Zoom link will be provided when you register.)

Two six-hour field trips to migration hotspots in Point Reyes National Seashore and San

Francisco's Presidio. Sundays, September 21 and 28.

Class Size: Limited to 15 participants.

Price: $200 ($160 for GGBA members, a 20% discount).

Registration opens at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 6 and closes at 11 pm on Monday,
September 1.