Seattle Audubon has some wonderful and varied classes scheduled in the next
several months. If you'd like to register, please call the Nature Shop at
206 523-4483, Monday - Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.


Birding Mexico, Part 1: Planning a Trip
with Barry Levine, Master Birder

Ever thought about what it would take to be able to go birding in Mexico?
Join Barry Levine for the first of a two-part series about birding in
Mexico. Get some tips on selecting a tour package or planning your own
adventure. What are the best times of year to go and the best areas for
birders on a first visit? Where can you find local guides and pelagic trips?
Learn about some logistics of travel in Mexico too, including what to pack,
how to get around, what types of hotels to choose, and how to enjoy the
cuisine without getting sick. We'll also talk about field guides, birding
location guides, tapes and CDs, and other resources that are helpful in
planning and preparing for your trip. Watch for Part 2 later on, which will
focus on habitats and target species you are likely to encounter when you
get there!
Class: Wednesday, January 3, 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH
Cost: $20 members, $35 non-members
Limit: 26


Raptors of Western Washington
with Jim Flynn, Master Birder
Join us for three evenings and a field trip that will cover the ID and basic
biology of Western Washington's regularly occurring hawks, eagles and
falcons. This class should be of interest to intermediate and beginning
birders alike. We will discuss ID of both perched and flying raptors. The
class sessions will cover ID, feeding behaviors, breeding biology,
migration, and more. We will use slides, specimens and extensive handouts to
learn about these fascinating birds. The field trip will give us a chance to
take the identification concepts afield and to observe and discuss raptor
behavior.

Class: Wednesday, January 10, Monday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 17,
7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH
Full Day Field Trip: Saturday, January 20 or Sunday January 21, to Stanwood
and the Skagit and Samish flats. Sign-up for the field trip will occur on
the first night of class. There may be only one field trip, depending upon
the number of students; please keep both days open.
Cost for lectures and field trip: $85 Seattle Audubon members, $95
non-members.
Cost for lectures only: $60 Seattle Audubon members, $70 non-members.
Limit: 25 for lectures and field trip. 10 additional spots for lectures
only.


Owls of Washington
with Jamie Acker, owler

Participants in this class will learn about the physiology of owls, the 14
species of owls in Washington, and an introduction to owling via a
multimedia presentation and lecture. Participants will choose between two
field trips to owl Bainbridge Island, where Barred Owls and Northern
Saw-whet owls should be found and 4 other species are possible.
Participants will be responsible for providing their transportation; options
for carpooling can be organized at time of lecture or participants can
provide their own transportation.
Participants must be 12 years of age or older.

Class: Saturday, January 27, 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: CUH, Douglass Classroom
Field Trips: The first field trip will be held on Sunday, January 28, taking
the 2:10 AM (two hours after midnight Saturday) Seattle to Bainbridge Island
ferry. The second field trip will be offered on Saturday, February 3rd,
taking the 2:10 AM (two hours after midnight Friday) Seattle to Bainbridge
Island ferry. Please select one field trip when you register for the class.
In event of inclement weather: the alternate dates are Sunday, February 4 or
February 11th, both taking the 2:10 AM (two hours after midnight Saturday)
Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry.
Cost for lecture and field trip: $60 members, $75 nonmembers.
Cost for lecture only: $30 members, $45 nonmembers.
Limit: 24 for lectures and field trip (Limit of 12 on each field trip.) 6
additional spots for lectures only.

Dabbling Ducks
with David Drummond, Research Wildlife Biologist

Here is an opportunity for beginner to intermediate level birders to
strengthen your dabbling duck spotting and identification skills. We will
explore aspects of their biology and ecology in the classroom and out in the
field. The family Anatidae is a diverse and intriguing group. In this
class, we will focus on wintering dabbling ducks on freshwater. Join us for
an in-depth look! Please bring lunch and binoculars and plan to carpool to
local spots.

Class: Friday, February 9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Location: Issacson Classroom, CUH
Field Trip: Saturday, February 10, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $35 members, $50 nonmembers
Limit: 20


Diving Ducks
with David Drummond, Research Wildlife Biologist

This class offers new to seasoned birders an opportunity to build confidence
with diving duck locating and accurate identification to age and gender
classes. Fun factoids of their fascinating life history will be shared in
images, literature, and interactive discussions in class and on the field
trip. Our target group is diving ducks wintering on marine waters. Don't
miss this colorful cast of northwest cool characters! Please bring lunch
and binoculars and plan to carpool to local spots.

Class: Friday, February 16, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Issacson Classroom, CUH
Field trip: Saturday, February 17, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $35 members, $50 nonmembers
Limit: 20


Learn your Loons & Grebes
with David Drummond, Research Wildlife Biologist

These graceful marine birds, swimmers and divers of the winter saltwater,
pose interesting field ID challenges. Their bioecology is equally intriguing
to explore. Join
us for an in-depth look into life histories of loons and grebes via
handouts, discussion,
and images, as well as a shoreline field trip on Saturday to local areas in
search of loon
and grebe species!

Class: Friday, March 2, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Location: Issacson Classroom, CUH
Field trip: Saturday, March 3, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $45 members, $60 nonmembers
Limit: 20

Vicki King, Seattle
vkbirder at gmail.com