Seattle Audubon has a varied selection of excellent classes this
spring. Take a look. If you want to take a class, please call the
Nature Shop, Monday - Saturday, from 10 AM to 5 PM, at 206 523-4483.

The Birds and Plants of the Shrub-steppe
wth Andy Stepniewski, author of Birds of Yakima County

This class will introduce you to the plant and bird communities of the
shrub-steppe ecosystem in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington. I
will impart much in the way of botanical tidbits as these relate to
birds and will emphasize the relationships between such birds as
Horned Larks, Sage Sparrows, Sage Thrashers, Brewer's Sparrows, Sage
Grouse, and Vesper Sparrows and the preferred habitats of each within
this unique mosaic of plant communities. I will also touch on
conservation issues. Two leaders
will conduct the day-long field trip to the Columbia Basin where we
will look for the birds amidst spectacular wildflowers.

Class: Friday, April 14, 7:00?9:00 PM
Location: CUH*, Douglas Classroom
Field Trip: Saturday, April 15, 6:30 AM ? 6:30 PM
Cost: $60 members, $75 nonmembers.
Limit: 25


Introduction to Birds of the World
with Alan Knue

The world is full of birds! Birds are found everywhere on the globe,
from the inhospitable frozen world of Antarctica to some of the
smallest tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean. Very few species,
genera, or families can be found everywhere, and many are restricted
to specific parts of the globe, be it a continent, country or even an
island.

This is your chance to learn what birds live beyond your usual haunts.
We'll explore the world and learn about the eight biogeographical
regions; what families and other unique taxa are found within these
regions; and how the regions differ in species diversity. We'll also
discuss birding in far off places - where to go, how to prepare, and
what to expect once you get there. On an optional field trip to the
Woodland Park Zoo, we will see some of the world's birds in person.

Class: Monday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 26, 7-9 PM
Location: CUH*, Isaacson Classroom
Field Trip: Saturday, April 29 or Sunday, April 30. Sign up for one
field trip during the lecture. If enrollment is 14 or fewer, one field
trip will be offered on Saturday, April 29. Please bring money for
admission to the zoo.
Cost: $40 members, $55 nonmembers
Limit: 20


Birding by Ear
with Bob Sundstrom, Professional Birding Tour Leader
This popular and practical class is back, again in a format
emphasizing intensive field experience. The class is designed to help
you get a handle on bird songs and calls. The field trips will cover a
wide variety of habitats within about 100 miles of Seattle. Intended
for first time birding-by-ear students as well as those who would like
an intensive refresher. One evening introductory session plus two
different full-day field trips. Sign up for one or both field trips.
Travel is by carpool and meeting plan will be given in class. Come
tune up your ears!

Class: Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Location: Graham Visitors Center at Washington Park Arboretum

Field Trips: #1: Monday, May 15 - Scatter Creek/Capitol Forest
#2: Saturday, May 20 - East of the Cascades

Cost: $60 members, $75 nonmembers for one field trip. $120 members,
$150 nonmembers for both field trips. The evening class is for all
registrants and there is no separate charge for this session.
Limit: 18 per field trip


Taking a bird's eye view of bird migration
with Marilyn Ramenofsky, Lecturer, Biology Department, University of Washington
Migration is the annual movement of birds between breeding and
nonbreeding localities. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are well
positioned to appreciate these annual movements as many species use
the Pacific Coast and mountain ranges to orient as well as stage their
travels north in Spring and south in the Autumn. In this course, we'll
discuss theories surrounding the evolution of migration and how
environmental conditions influence migration in terms of behavior,
ecology and physiology, as well as identify birds that are common
migrants through the Northwest.
Class: Wednesdays, May 10 and May 17, 7 ? 9 PM
Location: CUH*, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $40 members, $55 nonmembers
Limit: 35


The Gizz of Birding
with David Drummond, Research Wildlife Biologist
What do birders mean by the "gizz" of birding? Gizz is our American
take on the European "Giss" that stands for the general impression of
size and shape of an unidentified bird. It plays an important role in
how we look at birds and our ability to correctly identify them in the
field. We will study the gizz of local birds and use behavior, voice,
habitat, and distribution to determine their identification. Use this
holistic approach to help refine your identification techniques in the
field and better learn who is looking at you from the bushes. Please
bring binoculars and lunch and plan to carpool.
Class and Field Trip: Sunday, May 14, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: CUH*, Douglas Classroom
Cost: $35 members, $50 nonmembers
Limit: 25


Butterflies of the Puget Sound Region ? Butterflying with Binoculars
With Idie Ulsh, Founding President of the Washington Butterfly
Association, Past President of Seattle Audubon

This relaxed and informative class is designed for people who wish to
learn about the beautiful butterflies of this area and includes natural
history, gardening, and photography. Classes are slide-based with
superb photographs of all species.

Classes: Thursdays, May 18, 25, and June 1, 7 ? 9 PM
Location: First night, CUH Auditorium, Second and Third Nights,
Douglas Classroom
Field Trip: Saturday, May 20, Puget Sound Region, location to be
announced in class
Cost: Lectures and field trip, members, $60, nonmembers, $75; Lectures
only, members, $40; nonmembers, $55
Limit: Lectures, 35; field trip, 20

Vicki King, Seattle
vkbirder at gmail.com