Birding By Ear

Learn to let your ears do the “talking” in this Experience Montana field course taught by Wildlife Biologist Jim Sparks. Stroll the scenic Kim Williams trail over four Saturday mornings in June, and learn to identify local birds by their location calls and breeding songs, as well as by their shape, size, color, behavior, and nesting activity.

Planned Class Schedule: June 1, 8, 15, and 29 (Saturdays)

Birding By Ear will take place from 8:00am-12:00pm over the course of four Saturdays in June. Participants should plan to arrive a few minutes early and meet at the Kim Williams Trailhead, located near The University of Montana. Class time will consist of walking lectures, bird and nest observations, and discussion.

Participants will learn:

• Identification of birds by sound (location calls and breeding songs)
• Identification of birds by sight (shape, size, color, and behavior)
• Nest identification and nesting activities
• Life histories of local birds

Activity Level

This course is rated as Easy.  Each Saturday will be spent walking on the scenic and mostly flat Kim Williams Trail along the Clark Fork River. The round-trip distance is approximately 2 miles. Learn more about the Kim Williams Trail.

Participants should bring their own binoculars and a good bird field guide of their choice. A water bottle and a snack are advisable as well. 

About the Instructor:

Jim Sparks is a wildlife biologist with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. He has had a particular interest in birds his entire life.

Registration:

The deadline for registration is May 25, 2013.  This course requires a minimum of 5 participants.  If minimum enrollment is not met, the course will be canceled and registration fees will be refunded.

This personal enrichment course is not offered for university credit.  Formal admission to The University of Montana is not required, and all participants pay the same course fee, regardless of state residency.