Hi all:
The following classes still have space available. To register, contact the
Nature Shop at 206.523.4483.
Marissa J. Benavente
Classes Committee Chairperson
Seattle Audubon Society
junebugrocks at attbi.com
206.522.5273



Shorebirds of Eastern Washington: Searching for Rare and Unusual Species.

With Jim Flynn, Master Birder


If your mouth waters at the thought of observing shorebirds such as Stilt,
Solitary and Semipalmated Sandpipers (birds more often seen in the mid-west
or on the east coast), then why not sign up for this class? We will likely
also see the more typical eastern Washington species such as American
Avocet, Black-necked Stilt and Wilson?s Phalarope as well as uncommon,
state-wide migrants such as Baird?s Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and
Red-necked Phalaropes.
We will spend a classroom session studying the identifying features of these
birds and discuss how eastern Washington shorebirding differs from coastal
shorebirding. Next we will put that knowledge to work on a full-day field
trip to shorebird ?hotspots? in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington.
Field trip participants will meet in Ellensburg for an early start and will
be responsible for making overnight accommodations if desired.

Jim Flynn is a graduate of the Master Birder Program and has been birding in
Washington for over 20 years. He has taught shorebird and raptor classes for
Seattle, Rainier and East Lake Washington Audubon and has led numerous field
trips throughout the state.

Class: Wednesday, August 20th, 2003
Time: 6:30-9:00 PM
Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH
Field Trip: Saturday, August 23rd or Sunday, August 24th. Meet in
Ellensburg at 6 AM. 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: $60 SAS members, $75 non-members
Limited to 25 participants.




Bats of the Northwest


With Kathleen Bander, Co-founder of Bats Northwest




Bats in the northwest (15 species of over 1,000 world-wide) protect both
humans and forests from damage and disease. A single bat can eat close to
its weight in bugs every night?600-1,000 in an hour! In this fast paced
class, we will cover all aspects of the life of a bat, relate humorous
stories gleaned from years of field research, discuss in detail how we can
attract bats to bathouses, preserve essential habitat, and promote bat
conservation. We?ll debunk commonly held myths and misconceptions. A
suitcase full of bat materials, including mounted specimens of northwest
bats, will be presented to the audience, along with printed materials they
can take home and share with family and friends.

The field trip portion of the course will be a bat walk at Green Lake. We?
ll see the resident colony of Big Brown Bats, and participants will become
part of the growing number of residents who have witnessed and are aware of
this yearly bat location. Time and meeting place will be given at the first
class meeting.

Class: Thursday, August 21, 2003
Time: 7 ?10 PM
Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH
Field Trip: Monday, August 25th at 8:45 PM. Green Lake - meeting place to
be announced at the first class.
Cost: $35 SAS members, $50 SAS non-members
Class limited to 25 participants






Ornithology for the Birder Series

Classify that Bird! - Evolution and Taxonomy for the Birder.
With Alan Knue

Ever ask yourself
What is a ?bird?? Are birds really descended from
dinosaurs? Why is the Northwestern Crow considered a full species, whereas
the Red-shafted Flicker is not? Why do loons come first in my field guide?

This course will cover the basics of bird evolution and taxonomy, exploring
the avian family tree and applying what we know about bird relationships to
listing and conservation. Topics will include different classification
systems, species concepts, origins of birds as a class, origin of flight,
familial relationships, and the formation of species. Current research in
paleontology and Systematics will be highlighted.

Alan J. Knue?s interest in birds began before the age of 4, when he tried
hatching bird eggs in his pants pockets. Mr. Knue studied zoology and
general biology at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin and worked with
endangered species during the first few years of his professional life.
Although he no longer works in the biology field, Mr. Knue still pursues his
interest in natural history and ornithology during much of his free time. He
has traveled extensively around the US, through parts of Europe, and
throughout most of eastern Australia, exploring local culture, fine arts,
and ecology. His major interests include Systematics and evolution,
paleontology, seabird biology, corvid biology, biogeography, advanced bird
identification, endangered species management and conservation, visual arts,
scientific illustration, and American Indian studies. Mr. Knue currently
holds a position as a manger of program operations at the University of
Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies, which promotes
technology and accessibility for people with disabilities in all aspects of
living and well-being.

Class: Wednesdays, September 10th and 17th, 7:00-9:00PM
Location: CUH, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $40 members, $55 nonmembers
Limit: 40


Beginning Birding
with Brian Bell, SAS Master Birder

This class is an excellent choice for new birders (aged 15 and up), birders
new to Seattle Audubon or the northwest, or for anyone interested in
improving their birding skills. This is an easy-going class consisting of
four classroom sessions using slides, along with two field trips - one half
day, and one full day, all providing a comprehensive introduction to ?bird
watching?. We will cover bird identification techniques, habitat and song,
selection of equipment, basic references, birding etiquette and ethics, and
then apply what we have learned in the classroom to the field.

Class: Fridays, September 12th and 26th, and October 3rd and 10th,
7:00-9:00PM.
Field trips: Saturday, September 13 (half day), and Saturday, October 11
(full day)
Location: CUH, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $130.00 members, $150.00 nonmembers
Limit: 25



Exploring the Birds of Seattle Series


Your Backyard Birds

With Vicky King

This lively class will explore the exciting bird life that lives in our very
own backyards! We will cover several aspects of the natural history of these
backyard birds, touching on diet, behavior, migration, nesting and breeding.
Come and find out more about those wonderful creatures living around you!

Class: Thursday, September 18, 6:45-8:45PM
Location: Game Room, Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle, West
Seattle
Cost: Donation Requested



Common Ravens in North America
With Bill Webb, Ph.D. candidate, University of Washington

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is not only the world?s largest songbird but
likely the smartest as well. This class presents a wonderful opportunity to
learn about the natural history of ravens and will consist of a
comprehensive two hour lecture here in Seattle. An optional field trip is
offered which will provide an introduction to the latest research occurring
at the University of Washington?s Olympic Natural Resources Center in Forks,
WA.. This optional field excursion, in rental vans, will allow us to
observe ravens in the field, and to learn how UW researchers trap and
electronically track them, trying not to get out-witted!

Class: Thursday, October 2, 7:00-9:00PM
Location: CUH, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $20 members, $35 nonmembers
Limit: 40

Optional field trip: Saturday October 4th OR Sunday, October 5th ,
11:00AM ? 4:00PM. There may be only one field trip day depending upon the
number of participants.
Location: University of Washington Olympic Natural Resources Center, Forks,
WA.
Cost: $35 members $50 non-members.
Limit: 14 participants per field trip. Participants may choose to register
for either one or both trips. Each class/field trip is priced separately.
Directions to the University of Washington Natural Resources Center will
given at the time of the class meeting..


Ornithology for the Birder Series


Anatomy of Birds

Kathleen Hunt, PhD., Research Associate, Department of Zoology, University
of Washington

Have you ever wondered what birds look like on the inside? Want to know how
mammal and avian species differ in their internal and external anatomy? Come
and find out all about this fascinating subject as we explore bird anatomy
through the use of drawings, bird skins, wings, and even an actual bird
dissection. You will certainly leave this class with a more intimate
understanding of birds!

Class: Monday, October 20th and Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:00-9:00PM
Location: CUH, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $40 members, $55 nonmembers
Limit: 15



Exploring the Birds of Seattle Series

Birds of Your Neighborhood Parks
With Robin Lewis

Do you enjoy our fine feathered friends but want to learn more about them?
Come to this two hour lecture and get some tips for observing and
identifying the common and
interesting birds of our area. We?ll follow the lecture portion with a
Saturday morning
field trip to one or two West Seattle parks to see what birds we can find
right here in our own neighborhood!

Class: Thursday, October 16, 6:45-8:45PM
Location: Game Room, Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle, West
Seattle
Field Trip: Saturday, October, 18, 8:00AM-12:00Noon. Location will be
announced at the class.
Cost: Donation Requested



Waterbirds of the Northwest
with Brian Bell, SAS Master Birder

Do you want to improve your birding skills in both locating and identifying
the Waterbirds we see every fall and winter? Then this course is for you!
We will learn about loons, grebes, cormorants, geese, ducks, alcids, as
well as other species that utilize the Puget Sound and our waterways as
their wintering grounds. The course will consist of four classroom sessions
using slides and recordings to help you learn the identifying
characteristics and vocalizations of these interesting birds. The classroom
sessions will be followed by one full day field trip.

Class: Monday, October 27; Friday, October 31; Tuesday, November 4; and
Friday, November 7 from 7:00-9:00 PM.
Field trips: Saturday, November 8 or Friday, November 14, 2003.
(Participants must select one field trip when registering for class.)
Location: CUH, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $140.00 members, $155.00 nonmembers for lecture/field trip; $100.00
lecture only.
Limit of 25 spaces for lecture/field trip; 5 additional participants for
lecture only).