2025 Field Ornithology Course - Birds of Southeast Wisconsin

Description

Recommended for Ages 16+ Minimum of 15 participants required for the program to run, with a maximum of 20 participants. Register online September 1, 2024-March 18, 2025Indoor Classroom Sessions: Ten Tuesday evening sessions at Retzer Nature Center, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27: June 3Outdoor Field SessionsFive Saturday morning sessions at various SE Wisconsin locations, 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.April 5, 19; May 3, 10, 17Dates and locations for field sessions may be subject to change based on weather and bird activity.The study of birds can be fascinating, inspiring, life-changing, challenging, and sometimes downright frustrating. Join Dr. Andrew Cassini on a nine week journey to learn all about bird identification. The course will consist of ten sessions of classroom instruction at Retzer Nature Center and five outdoor field sessions at various locations in Southeast Wisconsin including: Lake Country natural areas, Vernon Marsh, Paradise Valley, Horicon Marsh, and the Milwaukee lakefront.This course is modeled after a course Dr. Cassini taught at UW-Madison and is currently teaching for the Kettle Moraine Earth Institute at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, WI. This rigorous field ornithology course will focus on learning bird identification of around 250 birds by sight and sound, while developing field craft skills in binocular and spotting scope use, along with related technology. Participants will experience great birding opportunities and will visit various birding hotspots in our area. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to field sessions as well as any applicable daily entrance fees including WI State Parks and Milwaukee County Parks. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair during outdoor field sessions (limited quantity). Field Sessions are held rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Dates and locations for Saturday field sessions may be subject to change based on weather and bird activity.