On the Wing Now: An Intermediate Birding Class

Registration opens on Wednesday, February 4 at 1pm and closes at 11 pm on Monday, April 6. 

Instructor: 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.
 
Field trips:
 
Sunday April 12: Valle Vista, EBMUD, Canyon Road, Moraga
Unpaved, uneven paths and fire roads, approximately 3 miles.

Sunday April 19: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland
Almost all flat paved roads or paths with short passages on grassy fields, approximately 2 miles.
 
Sunday April 26: Arrowhead Marsh, MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Flat, paved paths and roads. Approximately 2 miles.
 
Sunday May 3: Garin Regional Park, Hayward
Hilly at times, unpaved trails and fire roads, approximately 3 miles.Sunday May 17: Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County
Somewhat hilly, paved roads and paths, multiple stops, less than 2 miles total.

Five Tuesday evening classes by Zoom,  April 7, 14, 21, 28: May 5: 7:00 to 8:30 pm

(Zoom link will be provided when you register.)

Five three-hour Sunday field trips, April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 17
(skipping Mother’s Day May 10): 8 to 11 am

Limited to 20 participants.

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