A Beginner's Guide to Birding

Interested in getting involved in this wonderful, if slightly odd hobby?  This seminar is designed to acquaint you with the basics.  And we'll even take you on a field trip to a local park or preserve to get you started.

Here's what we'll cover:

Tuning and using your binoculars

You think they're simple?  Well almost.  We'll show you how to "tune" them to your eyes, and how to find birds in your binoculars.  If you've never birded or used "bins" regularly, this will be "eye-opening."

Choosing the right binoculars

The cheap ones you bought from an ad in TV Guide won't do.  But before you spend a couple of hundred dollars, we'll guide you through the features to look for.

Types of birds

If you're gonna bird, you need to know the difference between a grebe and a heron as well as a warbler and a sparrow.  And you'll find out which is right: sea gull or gull.

How to identify birds in the field

We'll cover the various parts of the bird, its topography, and how to figure out how they came up with the name: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  We'll also talk about bird songs, range maps, and other stuff you need to know.

And don't forget the Bonus Field Trip!

Other Programs

Yes, Virginia, There IS a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
A Beginner's Guide to Birding
Bonus Field Trip