Short video excerpts from some of my presentations are available on my Patreon account.

little brown birds: sparrows

February 27, 6:00 – 7:00

Hanging out in heavy cover, flitting from bush to bush, sparrows can be a challenge to see, let alone identify. It may be tempting to write all these birds off as “little brown birds.” But when you take a closer look, you see that each sparrow species has their own characteristics and subtle beauty. This online class, offered by Portland Audubon, will look at all the regularly occurring sparrows in the Portland area, showing you the patterns, shapes, and behaviors that make each one unique. Register here

little brown birds: wrens, finches, and blackbirds

February 28, 6:00 – 7:00

Along with sparrows, the wrens, female finches, and female blackbirds all fit into the “Little Brown Birds” category. This online class from Portland Audubon will show you how to recognize all of these LBBs and how to find them. Register here

Introduction to herping: reptiles and amphibians of the portland area

Online Class
March 14, 6-7 PM

While birds seem to get all the attention, there is a host of colorful animals hiding just underfoot. The beginning of spring brings about a flurry of activity from the local reptiles and amphibians. This class will teach you how to find, identify, and safely enjoy all the turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, and salamanders typically found in the Portland area. Register here.

Birding oregon Hotspots:
Portland metro area

Online Class
March 21, 6-7 PM

If you live in Portland, you don’t need to travel far to find great birding. Despite being Oregon’s largest metropolitan area, Portland contains many great birding spots. This class features some of the best sites with a variety of habitats, showing you where to go, how to get there, and what birds you are likely to see. Register here.

birding oregon hotspots:
Washington county wetlands

Online Class
March 27, 6-7 PM

Wetland habitats host a great diversity of bird species, and Washington County, just west of Portland, has many great wetlands that are easily accessible to birders. This class will show you where to go, how to get there, and what birds you are likely to see. Register here.

flycatchers

Online Class
April 10, 6-7 PM

Known for their aerial acrobatics and boisterous personalities, flycatchers return to Oregon each spring after wintering in the tropics. While some species are colorful and boldly patterned, others are notoriously difficult to tell apart. This class will introduce you to all the regularly occurring species, and show you how to identify them by sight and sound. Register here.

warblers

Online Class
April 11, 6-7 PM

After a dreary Oregon winter, nothing announces spring like the arrival of the warblers, colorful little birds from the tropics. This class will feature all the regularly occurring species that move through the Portland area each spring, showing you how to identify them by sight and sound, and highlighting the habitats favored by each one. Register here.

spring shorebird migration

Online Class
April 18, 6-7 PM

Shorebirds are champions of winged migration, with some species traveling halfway around the world between their wintering grounds and their nesting grounds. Spring is the best time to study these birds, as they are molting into their distinctive breeding plumages. This class will introduce you to all the shorebirds typically found in Oregon in the spring, showing you how to identify them by size, shape, habits, and habitats. Register here.

birds of the coast

Online Class
May 4, 6-7 PM

The Oregon Coast is home to a dizzying array of seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds. This class will concentrate on those species most likely to be found in late spring and summer, with tips for differentiating similar species, birding various habitats, and finding some of the most sought-after targets. Register here.

audubon birding day:
birds of the oregon coast

Field Trip
May 6, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Participants will drive themselves as we explore the coast around Cannon Beach and Seaside. We will visit Haystack Rock for its specialties, including Tufted Puffin, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Harlequin Duck, and Black Oystercatcher. On this trip we can expect three cormorants, three scoters, three loons, and a few gulls. Shorebird migration should still be going strong, and freshwater sites should provide a variety of waterfowl and migrant songbirds. Bring food and water, and dress for the weather. Register here.

birds of the grasslands
and other open habitats

Online Class
May 16, 6-7 PM

While Oregon is known for its forests, the state is also home to grasslands, pastures, sage steppe, sand dunes, and alpine meadows. This class will look at the birds associated with these open habitats, helping you to identify them by sight and sound and making you ready to explore Oregon’s wide open spaces. Register here.

birds of the forest

Online Class
May 23, 6-7 PM

Some of Oregon’s most sought-after bird species are found deep in the state’s forests, but birding this habitat can be challenging. This class will feature a variety of forest-dwelling birds, with tips for identifying them by sight and sound. We will also explore some forest birding sites close to Portland. Register here.