Subject: Classes at Seattle Audubon Society
Date: Dec 2 21:16:43 2002
From: Marissa J. Benavente - junebugrocks at attbi.com


Hi All:
Just an update on classes available at SAS. For more information, or to
register, please contact the Nature Shop at 206.523.4483.
Marissa


Winter Birds of Skagit County
With Jim Flynn, Master Birder
Any birder worth their binoculars can tell you that some of the most
exciting birding Washington has to offer can be found in "the Skagit" in the
winter. From the sought after Gyrfalcon - a regular denizen of the Samish
Flats, to flocks of comparatively diminutive sparrows with their occasional
rarities, to skeins of Snow Geese and Swans over Skagit Bay, winter birding
in the Skagit offers a wide variety of rewarding birding in a beautiful
landscape. During the classroom sessions we will learn about the fluctuating
populations of Swans and Snow Geese and their prospects for the future. We
will also discuss numbers, distribution and winter behavior of the Skagit's
raptors, waterfowl and songbirds as well as identification of all of these
species.
Class Session: Monday, December 9th and Wednesday, December 11th, 2002
Class Location: Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.
Field Trip: Saturday, January 25th or Sunday, January 26th. Sign-up for
the field trip will occur on the first night of class. There may be only
one field trip day depending upon the number of participants.
Cost: $65 SAS members, $80 non-members
Class limited to 25 participants



Ornithology for the Birder Series
How do Birds Fly? Exploring Gliding, Flapping and Soaring in Birds
With Thomas Daniel, Ph.D, Department of Zoology, University of Washington
Come and explore the wonderful marvel of flight! In this class we will
explore basic engineering principles to help assist us in understanding the
dynamics of flight in birds. We will cover material from the origins of
lift to the more novel approaches that animals have developed to allow
flight. We will also cover the principles of flight design in birds.
Don't be left behind in recognizing dynamic soaring!
Class: Monday, January 13th and Wednesday, January 15th, 2003
Location: Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: $40 members, $55 non-members
Class limited to 40 participants



Western Washington Raptors
With Jim Flynn, Master Birder
Join us for this class that will cover the ID and basic biology of western
Washington's raptors. This class should be of interest to intermediate and
beginning birders alike. Two class sessions will cover ID, feeding
behaviors, breeding biology, winter territoriality, and more. The field trip
will give students a chance to practice raptor identification concepts and
to observe and discuss raptor behavior.
Class sessions: Monday, January 27th and Wednesday, January 29th, 2003
Class location: Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Field Trip: Saturday, February 1st or Sunday, February 2nd. Sign-up for
the field trip will occur on the first night of class. There may be only
one field trip day depending upon the number of registrations.
Cost: $70 members, $85 non-members
Limited to 25 participants


Gulls of the Puget Sound
With Kevin Aanerud, Chairperson of the Washington Bird Records Committee
This course will offer an introduction to the complexities of gull
identification. We will begin with studying the regularly occurring species
and learn when and where to find some of the less common species. Class
members will likely develop an appreciation for
the fact that some individual gulls can easily be misidentified because of
the variables in molt, plumage wear, hybridization, and physical structure.
Other topics will include gull behavior and habitat preferences. The class
will practice observing gulls in detail and writing field notes.
Kevin has studied birds in Washington for over thirty years and is a
seasoned fieldtrip leader.
Class: Wednesdays, February 12th and 19th , 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Wedgewood Presbyterian Church, Classroom B1
Field Trip: Saturday, February 15th , 8:00 a.m. - 3:00p.m. Rain date is
Saturday, February 22nd
Cost: $65 SAS members, $80 nonmembers
Class limited to 18 participants



Washington's Woodpeckers
with Brian Bell, Master Birder
Woodpeckers are found in almost all habitats in Washington from sea level to
boreal forests to semiarid eastern Washington valleys. We will examine the
twelve species that are present in our state, discuss their habitat
requirements, become acquainted with vocalizations and drumming patterns,
examine seasonal distribution and learn identification tips. There will be a
half day trip in Western Washington and a full day trip, later this spring
to Eastern Washington, to see and experience these fascinating birds in the
field.
Class: Thursday, February 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Wedgewood Presbyterian Church, Classroom B1
Field Trips: Saturday, February 15, 7:30 a.m.-12 noon and Saturday April 5,
7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $65 SAS members; $80 non-members
Class limited to 18 participants.


Seattle's Crows
with John Withey, UW Wildlife Science Graduate Student
Come and learn about crows and their population growth in the Seattle area.
We'll start with an early-morning walk (optional) into the roost at Foster
Island to observe thousands of crows flying off overhead. Next we'll have a
slide show to talk about the natural history of crows and review the results
from our ongoing research on crow populations. This will also include a
discussion of how West Nile virus might affect crows and other birds. We'll
take a walk around campus (up to 2 miles round-trip) to see what some of our
banded crows are up to, discuss how volunteers participate in our research,
and share crow stories.
Class: Sunday, February 23rd, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (coffee and juice
provided)
Location: Anderson Hall Room 304 (UW campus, C10 parking lot)
Optional crow roost observation: Meet at 6:00 a.m. in the Museum of History
and Industry parking lot (bring footwear for muddy trail).
Cost: $30 SAS members, $45 non-members
Class limited to 15 participants.


Seabird Seminar
with Brian Bell, Master Birder
This basic level seabird seminar and field trip is for birders who want to
know more about what's out there on our Puget Sound waters. We will gather
Thursday evening for a two-hour session covering basic birding techniques
and discuss some of the interesting species we are likely to see. On
Saturday morning, we'll be walking on, and birding, from the Fauntleroy
ferry en route to and from Vashon Island and Point Southworth. Grebes,
loons, cormorants, scoters, and alcids are likely. Bring money for the ferry
on Saturday.
Class: Thursday, February 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Wedgewood Presbyterian Church, Room B1
Field Trip: Saturday, March 1
Cost: $40 SAS members, $55 non-members
Class limited to 20 participants.


Ornithology for the Birder Series
What Birders Should Know about Plumages and Molt
with Michael Donahue
What is "alternate plumage" and is it different from "breeding plumage?" Why
should the "pre-basic molt," be of interest to birders? This class will
cover molt and plumage terminology, give a basic overview of plumage
sequences, and illustrate how understanding plumage sequence and molt can be
an important aid in bird identification. Research on molt is an expanding
field in ornithology, and is revealing some interesting insights into avian
natural history. This class will also present the results of recent research
conducted on the molting patterns of some northwest birds. It will be
helpful for participants to bring the Sibley Guide to Birds or the National
Geographic Guide to class.
Instructor: In addition to being interested in gulls and seabirds, Mike has
studied molt at the UW Burke Museum, and had the results of his research
recently published in The Auk.
Class: Fridays, February 28 and March 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture
Cost: $40 SAS members, $55 non-members
Class limited to 40 participants.



Birds of the Puget Sound Area
A Four Week Field Course for Birders
with Brian Bell, Master Birder
Learn by doing! In this four-part course you will learn the basic principles
of birding. We'll cover birding etiquette, equipment, field guides, as well
as identification techniques for successful birding and then put them into
practice in the field. This class is an excellent choice for both
experienced as well as beginning birders. Early spring is a great time to
bird in Seattle and the Puget Sound with some wintering birds still present
and the chance of finding early returning migrants. Come join this class and
have some fun.
Class/field trips: Sundays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 8:00 a.m. - noon
Session 1: Class meets at the SAS Nature Shop followed by a field trip to
the Montlake Fill (Union Bay Natural Area).
Session 2: Field trip to Discovery Park.
Session 3: Field trip to Spencer Island
Session 4: Field trip to be determined
Cost: $60 SAS members, $75 non-members
Class limited to 15 participants.


Marissa J. Benavente
Classes Committee Chairperson
Seattle Audubon Society
junebugrocks at attbi.com
206.522.5273