If you identify as an intermediate birder, then you’ve been birding more than once or twice, and know the common birds to expect in our area in spring. You’ve probably got a lot of chops with bird distribution and seasonality, and even can whistle a breeding song or two! Your friends tend to ask you, “What’s that?” whenever a feathered friend alights nearby. 

Our spring migrants have arrived and are making their homes here in Western Washington. Let’s review who’s who and engage in some deep listening to hone your skills even farther. As a birder you know that field time and practice are valuable in retaining these identifying characteristics. Bring your sense of wonder, questions, and knowledge to share with others too as we build community through a shared passion. This is an inclusive space for birders because skills operate on a gradient – there are no quizzes here (unless you personally want a trailside pop quiz!) 

Tuning your ear to bird’s songs and vocalizations is a next-level way to land your ID, even when visibility for birds is poor. IslandWood naturalist and docent, Mark Salvadalena, has over a decade of experience and will teach you how to listen for key features in bird chatter and song to arrive at a proper ID – even without seeing the bird. 

In this class we will cover:

• How to identify common birds by the various sounds they make, including spring migrants only here for a season
• How to use apps such as Merlin Bird ID, and community-science databases such as ebird.org, and tips on the best educational websites to continue your ornithological study
• As always, we will explore the ways people approach deep nature study, reflection and have lots of time for questions and practice in the field

Your instructors for this session will be Mark Salvadalena and Christina Woolf.

IslandWood’s docent, and a skillful ornithologist and naturalist, Mark Salvadalena.

Mark is a recreation instructor with Bainbridge Island Parks. He has led bird walks for 15 years for organizations such as Olympic National Park, New York City Parks, and Seattle Audubon. We’re so honored that Mark is one of IslandWood’s docents, and a skillful ornithologist and naturalist.

IslandWood’s veteran staff naturalist Christina Woolf.

Christina Woolf is IslandWood’s veteran staff naturalist who is serious about nature-study in a fun-loving way. Christina is a Master Birder (Seattle Audubon, 2011), WDFW Wetland Monitor (2014), Certified Beach Naturalist (2014), and Certified Interpretive Guide (National Association of Interpretation (2015), and has been joyfully teaching environmental education for over 20 years.

THINGS TO KNOW

• This class is rain or shine, so please dress in layers and always bring a rain layer, gloves and hat at this time of year.
• Due to the content and pace of this program, we are listing this as an adults only class.
• Please remember our campus policy is ‘no dogs unless they are a service animal.’
• We always cap off our hikes with a sweet treat of our homemade cookies too!