Ed Swan, ornithologist, author, and bird guide is coming to Rainier Audubon this fall  and he can help you.

• Build on your identification skills in the field
• Improve your bird sighting evaluation abilities
• Increase your ability to record data and publish records
• Use a citizen science methodology

Ed Swan’s Bio

These skills help expand your connection to birds and nature and prepare you for leadership roles in field trips, surveys, and area counts. You will also get practice with the CIDR method by working with a small group to create a birding trip/outing. Once completed you will have the skills and confidence to lead/assist bird walks and bird surveys.

“Advancing” your birding, is not just for advanced birders. The course is about building on your current birding skills and is designed to help birders of all levels, beginner to advanced.

Details

The course consists of 4 webinar classes, two field trips, and a project presentation night. Classes will be from 7-9pm and fieldtrips in the morning (8am-noon):

	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Fieldtrip #1	Class 4	Fieldtrip #2	Class 5 Presentation Night
DATE	August 9th	August 23rd	Sept. 6th	Sept. 10th	Sept. 20th	Sept. 24th	Oct. 4th

Online Webinar Classes

August 9th   
Introductions, how to use the SLACK platform for course materials and communication, introduction to Ed’s bird identification method CIDR (Context, Identify, Describe, Record), discussion of Context of the Birder (discussion of inclusion), and introduction to learning communities group project

August 23rd
Further introduction to CIDR method, full discussion of Context of the Bird:  Habitat, Range, Season. 

September 6^th
“Identify” component of CIDR explored more in-depth and run through two step-by-step examples of using CIDR, one of which will be a gull.

September 20^th
Focus on final two components of CIDR method “Describe” and “Record”, discussion of final project

Fieldtrips

The fieldtrips center on building CIDR method concepts that are learned in the class. As well, the learning communities have opportunity to meet in person and discuss their chosen project. The trips will take place in the morning.

September 10th
Field trip 1 focuses on the Context and Identify concepts and tools to practice during the field trip. Opportunity for learning communities to meet and plan their group project.

September 24^th
Second chance to use CIDR in the field

Group Project Presentation

October 4
At the start of the course, individuals will join with others to form a learning community. Each group will design a birding fieldtrip/outing/activity. The goal is to give individuals another opportunity to use the CIDR method and to create an activity that they might be interested in leading or sharing with Rainier Audubon so that the chapter can offer the activity.

Class costs

• Free (if you volunteer 10 hours leading or helping out with an RAS activity in the 2022-2023 season)
• $135 for members
• $150 for non-members

Registration is closed

You may add your name to our waiting list in case someone cancels, or if you are interested in taking the class at another time.

Add your name to the waitting list.

1) Free – Volunteer 10 hours

After registering, contact Cindy Flanagan (Cindy.Flanagan@rainieraudubon.org)

2) Purchase as member (using Paypal or credit card)

3) Purchase as non-member (using Paypal or credit card)

*Become a member of Rainier Audubon today and save $15! Sign up for a Rainier Audubon membership now and receive discounts on classes throughout the year.