Course Title: Field Ornithology (Regional Birds)
Course# 17S03
Dates: Wednesdays, May 17, 24, 31, June 7
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Fee: $50 minus $5 if registered by May 3
Location: County Board room, Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite St, Hurley, WI
This course satisfies the continuing education requirement for the UW Ex Master Naturalist program.
Objectives: Students will learn about the birds of the region (northern Wisconsin, U.P. of Michigan, and Lake Superior area). Each session will include a classroom component and field time, when we will visit a variety of habitats to observe and practice identifying birds. By the end of the 4 weeks, students will know how to identify the common breeding and migratory species of the area.
Course structure: The course will be given in _4_ sessions, each 4 hours long, covering the following topics:
- Bird habitats
- Birds of the region (resident and migratory species)
- How to identify birds
- Resources for identification
- Types of surveys and opportunities for volunteers
- Survey results
- Field trips
Requirements:
If students have binoculars and a basic field guide, they should bring them. Field guides and apps will be discussed in class, so if students do not already have a guide they may want to wait before buying one.
Field trips will involve easy to moderate walking and standing.
Instructor:
Joan Elias has a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science. She has conducted bird surveys for several agencies and the Bad River Tribe and has participated in research on bird-habitat preferences.
Dick Verch retired from Northland College as an Emeritus Professor of Biology where he taught a variety of biology courses including Field Ornithology for thirty years.