Description
Ever wonder about the birds singing in your backyard? Looking to try out a new hobby or hone your bird and plant knowledge in a beautiful place? In this workshop, we’ll dive into the art and practice of birding in the rich coastal forest and estuary ecosystems of the Sitka Center and Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve. We will focus not only on visual and auditory identification, but also learn about natural history, habitat preferences and the ecological relationships between birds, trees and other wildlife. Participants can expect to learn to identify local birds by sight and sound as well as to consider birds from ecological, artistic and musical perspectives. With these various lenses guiding the workshop, participants will leave with enhanced knowledge and appreciation of birds; tools, techniques and connections to help build their birding skills and thoughtful ways to engage in this increasingly popular hobby. Beginner to intermediate birders welcome!
Accessibility note: This workshop will involve walking up to a half mile on flat to sloped ground, including on grass, gravel and dirt trails. Inquiries about accessibility welcome.
About the Instructor
Thomas Meinzen is an ecologist, composer and birder based in Portland, Oregon. He leads monthly birding and naturalist outings and teaches workshops on birds, pollinators, dragonflies and trees. He loves to share the wonders of the natural world and help others discover the joys of learning the birds and other life around them.
Thomas has worked across the U.S. and Costa Rica as a bird, bee and butterfly field biologist. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Humanities and an MSc in Ecology. His research includes bioacoustics, soundscape ecology and pollinator conservation. He is also an active composer, field recordist and writer—and often approaches learning and thinking about birds and birdsong through the lens of music and human-nature interconnection.
Learn More
thomasmeinzen.bandcamp.com
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Binoculars – Instructor will have a limited number to share, so if you have your own, please bring them
Field notebook and pencil
Optional but welcome: camera, phone, field guide(s)
Provided by instructors:
Binoculars (6-10 pairs)
Scope and tripod
Field guides – Birds, Trees, Plants
Digital bird identification resources
Speaker and recording equipment