Introduction to Bird Identification at Woodberry Wetlands

Improve your birding skills by spending the day at Woodberry Wetlands learning how to identify the resident and migrant birds most likely to be found at our reserve and within the nearby vicinity. This course, designed for relative beginners as well as the more experienced, begins in the classroom by concentrating on visual and aural identification and the recognition of biological and behavioural traits of these species. You will receive training with optical equipment, the latest smart phone apps and learn best practise when recording your sightings. Students on this course will also look at changes in UK bird populations and the basics of observational field studies & survey techniques and participants will be challenged to think about conservation and biodiversity issues.

Following the introductory session, you will venture outside to traverse the reserve and put these disciplines into practise. A large part ‘birdwatching’ is using your ears and you will therefore be learning to identifying birds by calls and song as well as by sight. The tutor will help you to consider the key things to think about when you’re trying to identify birds and how to distinguish ‘look-a-likes’. As birds are spotted, you’ll discuss the characteristics of their size, shape, age, sex, distinctive colours and markings, behaviours and flight patterns. Many species reside and breed at the wetlands and you will also have the opportunity to learn about their habitat, moulting and breeding patterns and how and where they build their roosts.

You will finish up in the New River Studio where there will be a review of the birds which were spotted and a tutorial of how to record sightings online as a permanent record of the species found. By the end of the day you’ll be more confident in your knowledge and identification skills will develop a foundation from which to progress toward future projects such as participating in bird surveys, writing about your local birds or reserve, further study conservation issues concerning birds or simply improve your enjoyment of birding.

This event is suitable for 16+