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Online Beginning Birding Seminar
February 19, 2021 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Which thrush is which? Join our birding class and gain the skills to find out!
As the first flowers appear in February, local thrush species begin to migrate to their breeding grounds. In the Bay Area, the hermit and the Swainson’s thrush will effectively “switch” places; just as the hermit thrush migrates further north, the Swainson’s thrush returns to the Bay Area in search of a mate. To even an experienced birder, these secretive woodland species are difficult to tell apart by looks alone. Luckily, we can distinguish these species by their otherworldly, flute-like calls. The Swainson’s thrush (pictured right) has more of an ascending cascade of quick notes that seem to echo throughout the forest canopy, whereas the hermit thrush (left) has a shorter call with longer notes that make a low-high-low pattern.
Want more tips on how and where to spot these and other beautiful birds? Join our upcoming online seminar on beginning birding, led by naturalist Jerry Coe. Learn how to identify common birds in the field and how to use essential tools like binoculars and bird guides. You will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors.
Jerry Coe is a naturalist with over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world.
Date: Friday, February 19
Time: 6pm. – 7pm
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved)
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited; reservations required.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Hermit thrush (left) by Yves Gauthier; Swainson’s thrush (right) by Adam Jackson. Macaulay Library.