Photo by Elaine R. Wilson, CC 3.0.

DATES: May 11 and 14
TIMES: May 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; May 14, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
LOCATIONS: May 11: Montana Natural History Center; May 14: meet at Council Grove State Park

REGISTER HERE for Birding by Ear

All around us birds are singing and calling, communicating territorial boundaries, attracting mates, issuing alarms, and keeping track of companions. Gain access to this language by learning how to listen for and identify bird songs and calls. Much bird identification is done by sound. Especially among trees and thick foliage, you may hear the bird long before you see it. Step up your birding with this naturalist skill!

This 2-part class is designed for those who are ready to birdwatch at an intermediate level. We will focus on how to bird by ear by learning the songs and calls of approximately 20 species. We will also learn how to identify trickier birds such as sparrows, warblers, raptors, and waterfowl. We’ll spend the first session in the classroom learning the basics, then head out to the field for the second session. The field portion will provide time to practice skills among the cottonwoods, ponderosa pines, and along the river’s edge at Council Grove State Park.

Instructor: Elena Ulev is a Master Naturalist, Certified Interpretive Guide, and teacher, providing classes and courses for the Dickinson Lifelong Learning Center and MNHC. With a degree in Wildlife Biology, Elena spent a decade working for the Forest Service as a wildlife, botany, and hydrology technician as well a technical science writer. She is an avid eBirder, birding in her backyard and surrounding area every day and has seen 171 bird species in Missoula County thus far.

What to Bring:

• mask
• writing implement and journal
• snacks, water
• (for the field day) binoculars – we have some to borrow
• (for the field day) clothes appropriate for changing MT weather conditions –layers, good walking shoes or boots, rain gear, etc..

COVID Precautions:

• small class limited to 12 students
• masks may be required or recommended indoors depending on CDC guidelines and Missoula numbers
• vaccinated MNHC staff and instructors

Cost: $50 MNHC members / $55 non-members. Scholarships are available! Please contact cmorris [at] montananaturalist.org for more information.
You can add an MNHC membership at checkout.

REGISTER HERE for Birding by Ear

FAQs

What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. This ticket is non-transferable to other programs or events. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.