This course is geared for novice to average+ bird watchers (“birders”) and will address the what, when, how and where of bird watching. Generally, the goal is to give participants the tools and knowledge to enjoy bird watching at whatever level they wish to attain. Specifically, the class outline includes 1) tools (equipment, phone applications, books) available to make bird watching successful; 2) basic and advanced observation tips for identifying all bird species, especially backyard birds; 3) top bird watching opportunities; 4) how to make your backyard the preferred gourmet kitchen or B & B for birds, rather than have them go next door; 5) bird watching hot spots in the Tallahassee area, state, world and how to find them; and 6) how to make the most of your bird watching experiences and have fun! Class size limit: 15. REQUIREMENT: Participants must be able to walk 2-3 miles at a leisurely pace on grassy and uneven ground and able to hold binoculars above your shoulders for 1-3 minutes.
LOCATIONS:
on 2/29: St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, St. Marks and then Lake Henrietta Leon County Park; on 3/7: Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 N Meridian Rd, Thomasville, GA, and then Tall Timbers, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr.
Suggested Field Guides
• The Crossley ID Guide Eastern Birds, Crossley, $25, Field guide with all
photos in natural habitat (my favorite)
• A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors, Wheeler and Clark,
$20-$41. Field Guide uses photos – fantastic comparative guide of adults
and juveniles of similar species; small
• Shorebird Guide, O’Brien, Crossly and Karlson, $14
• Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America, Kaufman, $13. Up-to-
date field guide, includes official names of birds; new species; updated range maps & easy to use.
