Classes
Being a birder and a good steward of wildlife are lifelong endeavors that both require and allow us to continually learn. It is our goal to help you in that process by providing high-quality, fun, and informative classes.
All of our classes are taught by instructors who are highly knowledgeable about the topic, and we are scheduling classes throughout the year so be sure to check back often for our new offerings.
Membership discounts apply to Pilchuck Audubon Chapter members only. If you’re unsure of your membership status please email director@pilchuckaudubon.org to verify before registering, or become a member here.
Upcoming Classes
From Mountains to Molehills: the Mammals of Washington [online]
May 15 & 22
7:00-9:00pm
Class instructor: Mike Donahue
This class will give an overview of the mammal diversity in the state, emphasizing the species most likely to be seen, their natural history, and where to see them. Mike recommends "A Field Guide to Mammals of North America North of Mexico" by Fiona Reid. (Also available as an app.) Mike grew up in Washington State and has been seeking out mammals as well as birds over the last 45 years. He has done a Washington State mammal big year.
This class will be recorded and registrants will have access to the recordings until June 12th.
Registration: $30 for PAS members, $40 for non-PAS members
The Swallows of Washington: Aerial Harbingers of Spring [online]
June 9
7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Connie Sidles
For us birders, the true signs of spring aren't early daffodils or crocuses. Our spring ''flowers" are the flocks of swallows returning from the south to grace our skies with their beauty as they speed over lake and field on the hunt for insects. So swiftly do they fly, they seem to almost leave jet contrails in their wake. Washington is home to seven species of these neotropical migrants. Join master birder Connie Sidles in this one-off class as she describes the lives and field marks of these aerial specialists.
This class will be recorded and registrants will have access to the recordings until June 30th.
Registration: $12 for PAS members, $15 for non-PAS members
Gateway Birds of Puget Sound [online & field trip]
Online class: October 2, 6:30-8:30pm
Field trip: October 5, 8:00am-Noon (limited to 10 participants)
Instructor: Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser
Birds are everywhere – they live and love in cities, towns and farms, in parks, and along shorelines. And birding is for everyone! If you’ve gotten curious about the birds around you and want to learn more, how do you get started? Where do you go to see interesting birds? How do you find the birds, once you get there? Should you go alone or with a small group? Do you actually need to “go” very far? Using 10 (or so) charismatic birds that can be found within Puget Sound as inspiration, we’ll explore resources you can use to learn about birds and plan your own birding excursions. We’ll also touch on strategies on how to go from “duck” to “Gadwall,” though bird ID isn’t the focus of this class. There's also an optional field trip to get you started with birding.
The online portion of this class will be recorded and registrants will have access to the recording until October 23rd.
Registration:
Online class: $15 for PAS members, $20 for non-PAS members
Field trip: $25 for PAS members, $35 for non-PAS members (limited to 10 participants)
Winter Waterfowl [online]
October 22 & 29, November 5 & 12
7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Connie Sidles
Everybody knows a Mallard, right? And Northern Shovelers are those guys with big bills, while Buffleheads are the little black-and-white "rubber duckies.” But do you *really* know your waterfowl, even the so-called easy ones? Can you identify each species by gender, in eclipse, in flight, and by voice? Western Washington is the winter home for more than three dozen different species of swans, geese, and ducks. It’s possible to know them all, in all their guises. Let master birder Connie Sidles take you on a virtual journey through our state’s waterways to discover the ins and outs of our winter waterfowl in four Zoom classes.
This class will be recorded and registrants will have access to the recordings until December 3rd.
Registration: $45 for PAS members, $60 for non-PAS members