Maggie and all,

You can find listings for local field trips in the Columbus area on the
Columbus Audubon Web site.  Just go to

http://columbusaudubon.org/

and look for the Events Calendar (left side of the main menu near the top of
the page).  Field trips, bird walks, and similar events are listed for
Columbus Audubon, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, and several Metro
Parks.  We also show field trips for the Columbus Audubon Avid Birders, who
are glad to welcome truly crazy -- oops, I mean dedicated -- birders
interested in all-day trips.

Those in other areas of the state might want to check out their local
Audubon chapters, as many of these chapters hold field trips throughout the
year.

Of course, not all Audubon field trips are just about birds, but a good
number are solely or mostly birding-oriented.  Most accommodate just about
any skill level.

Bill Heck
Columbus

On Sun, Apr 18, 2010 at 10:38 AM, Bill Whan <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> Dear Maggie, and others:
>    Those of us who payed close attention during our formal education
> are tempted to think classes are always the best way to learn complex
> things. I now think butts-in-the-chairs classes about bird ID are pretty
> much useless for beginners, and that's why it's hard to find one. It's
> not hard for a motivated person to find books and internet resources for
> the kind of knowledge you get there.
>    It's the field trips you need. There is no faster way to learn than
> to work with your local birds alongside someone who knows things you
> want to learn. When you see a thrasher in Columbus, you may need to know
> why it isn't a wood thrush, not whether it might be a long-billed
> thrasher. At some point you need someone who can show you how a crow
> flies differently than a vulture or a hawk, or give you a cute mnemonic
> to remember a bird song, or what to expect in a certain habitat.
>    There are lots of people who know these things, and are eager--not
> just grudgingly willing, or for pay--to share their knowledge. As
> someone pointed out to me me the other day, birders are outdoors people
> who want to share things; hunters and trappers and fishers, by contrast,
> want to keep secrets. Because birders don't need to possess things, the
> joy of sharing comes naturally. And if you want to learn about birds in
> a lonely way, you have a long and rocky row to hoe, but it's been done.
>    So for Maggie and others, your question should be "How do I get in
> touch with local birders?" There are many organizations that schedule
> outings led by knowledgeable people. Audubon societies and local bird
> clubs are a good choice. Your local parks system has many bird walks,
> etc. Go along on a few of these, ask questions, and you will learn about
> more outings, and probably meet people from your neighborhood who will
> invite you along on theirs. And if you see someone else birding when you
> go out, strike up a conversation, share information, or just ask
> questions. It's a rare birder who won't be delighted to help, and you
> are likely to learn a lot more spending time with birds and birders than
> in classes or in the library or online.
> Bill Whan
> Columbus
>
> M Scott wrote:
> > Help with ID (of course) When I looked at a picture of a black throated
> > green warbler, my unidentified bird looked just the opposite of this!
> black
> > and white head shoulders and back, with yellow breast. At first I thought
> > it might be a goldfinch, but it wasn't. Flying in the trees across the
> > creek. I know I should have more specifics.
> >
> > In the same area I also saw a white throated sparrow foraging in the
> leaves
> > and a Carolina wren perched in the tangles of brush
> >
> > I would love a class on bird id, especially for sparrows, warblers,
> hawks.
> > Does any group offer a class?
> > Thanks,
> > Maggie
> > in Columbus
>
>
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--
Bill Heck

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