Pelican Island Audubon - beginning birding course

This Beginning Birding Course introduces basic identification and techniques to learn bird basics and an appreciation of why birds are the way they are, their size, shape, foods, colors, songs, typical behaviors and mating rituals along with the geographical locations that support their different habitats and the seasons they are found to help identify birds and to better understand their life history.  Basic equipment birders should consider having will be reviewed along with field skills.  You will learn how to be a responsible birder allowing for close observation of birds without harm to you or the birds.  Finally, trends affecting bird populations along with conservation efforts for birds and other wildlife will be discussed.

The class is held at Audubon House, 195 9th Street SE (Oslo Road), Vero Beach, FL next to the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area and the FMEL-Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory and features multimedia presentations and computer-based learning to learn and identify our local bird species.  There are four classroom sessions from 6:00-8:30PM on January 17, 19, 31, and February 2 along with two field trips on January 21to Sebastian Inlet State Park and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and on February 5 to the West Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Stick Marsh.  The course fee is $95 for Pelican Island Audubon members.  The fee for nonmembers, which includes membership in Pelican Island Audubon Society, is $115 per person or the special two person rate of $220 perfect for couples.   Register online at www.PelicanIslandAudubon.org or call 772-567-3520 for more information.  Class size is limited to 30 people.