Birding 101: Workshop Information

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Birding 101 is tailored for beginning birders. It utilizes both classroom sessions and field trips to teach everything from bird identification to field etiquette to birding techniques and resources. The course is typically taught by local birding experts Bob Dean, Wil Hershberger, and Matt Orsie. An impressive collection of images and recordings, many captured by the instructors, enhance the course. 

LOCATIONS & TIMES: The classroom sessions are typically held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center just north of Shepherdstown from 7-9 p.m. on four weekly evenings in April. The field trips will be held at various locations around the Panhandle from roughly 7 a.m.–12 noon on the corresponding Saturdays.

The Saturday morning field trips allow participants to practice skills learned in the classroom. Participants will visit a variety of habitats to observe the bird species found in each. Field trips are held entirely outdoors, so participants should dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for muddy conditions. Class size will be limited to 24 participants. The course is open to people of all ages but children younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

COST: The series of workshops is typically $75 per participant but is subject to change. The fee includes classroom sessions and field trips.

REGISTRATION: Pre-Registration is required.  Registrations will be accepted on-line and/or by mail, and will be accepted in the order they are received.  Birding 101 has reached capacity for the 2013 class, but we maintain a waiting list in case of cancellations. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: If a participant is forced to leave the workshop due to injury or illness, a prorated refund of the registration fee will be given. To be eligible for a full refund, cancellations must be made at least one week (7 days) prior to the start of the workshop. We do reserve the right to cancel the workshop due to low enrollment. There would be a full refund in this situation.

DIRECTIONS: Directions to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center are available at http://training.fws.gov/mapdir.html. We will contact participants approximately one week prior to the course with a room number and any additional details.

• Download & Print Birding 101 Registration Form (PDF)