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.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code or confirm your membership status.

Not a member yet? Join here!

Upcoming Classes

[Online Class] Under the Skin with Bird Bones and Skeletons

$20.00

1-week class conducted over Zoom

March 4

7:00-8:00pm

Instructor: David Lukas

Birds are exquisitely designed creatures of the air, but have you ever thought about how the underlying structure of a bird's bones and skeletons help birds move and fly? Flight is not just a matter of flapping your wings harder, it actually requires many special adaptations and compromises that impact all aspects of a bird's life.

In this fascinating presentation we will learn about some of the adaptations we can observe when we look at a bird's skull, beak, eyes, wings, legs, and feet. Many of these features are hidden by feathers, yet they uniquely shape every aspect of what we see when we watch birds. Expect to come away with a new understanding and appreciation for the hidden mechanics of how birds eat, sleep, and move, along with an understanding of how feathers interact with a bird's skeletal structure.

David Lukas is a well-known naturalist and author based in the Methow Valley. He has written seven books and contributed chapters to another forty books on a tremendous range of nature topics. He has also led thousands of natural history tours, classes, workshops, and presentations. David's most recent project is producing a weekly nature newsletter at www.lukasguides.com

Class participants will have access to the Zoom recording for 3 weeks after the class.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Online Class] Avian Engineers: How Birds Build Nests

$80.00

4-week class conducted over Zoom

April 20, 27, May 4, May 11

7:00-8:30pm

Instructor: Connie Sidles

Long before humans ever thought of building even simple shelters, birds were constructing elaborate nests made of everything from tree bark to sheep's wool. No doubt they inherited the basic skills from their dinosaur ancestors, but in the millennia following the dinosaurs' demise, birds evolved nests that required needlework, weaving, bricklaying, excavating, and rafting skills - all using only their bills and feet. Come along with master birder Connie Sidles as she introduces you to these wondrous architects of nature.

Class participants will have access to the Zoom recordings for 3 weeks after the last session of the class.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Online Class] Warblers

$20.00

1-week class conducted over Zoom

May 7

7:00-8:30pm

Instructor: David Droppers

One of the most popular groups of songbirds, sporting bright colors and inspiring cheerful attitudes. But our warbler game in the west is, well, poor. But that makes it a great place for the warbler beginner.

Learn about our local warblers species, how they live their lives, and gain a little confidence before heading to the warbler meccas of the east. Warbler sounds will also be covered, as many of them can be rather shy, hiding in the thicket or spending much of their time in the canopy.

Class participants will have access to the Zoom recording for 3 weeks after the class.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Class Field Trip] Warblers

$40.00

May 9

7:00am-noon

Instructor: David Droppers

This field trip is an optional add-on to the online Warbler class taught by David on May 7. Meet at the Bothell Park n Ride at 7:00 AM. From there, we'll carpool south to locations along I-90, including, but not limited to, Mercer Slough, Sammamish State Park, and Snoqualmie Point Park. Drivers should have a Discover Pass.

Class size limited to 15 participants.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Online Class] Shorebirds

$60.00

3-week class conducted over Zoom

August 5, 12, 19

7:00-8:30pm

Instructor: David Droppers

Shorebirds are not popular with beginning birders because they're so similar, so variable, and such a challenge. Shorebirds are popular with experts for the exact same reasons! So don't be intimidated by this fascinating, and frankly cute, group of birds that grace our shores (and other habitats) for brief periods of the year. We'll focus on identification, but moreso, teach you tricks that we'll make tackling shorebirds much less intimidating. A field trip to the coast during shorebird migration will help solidify what we learn in class. Move from beginner to expert so you can get excited about shorebird season!

Class participants will have access to the Zoom recording for 3 weeks after the class.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Class Field Trip] Shorebirds

$60.00

August 22

7:00am-3:00pm

Instructor: David Droppers

This field trip is an optional add-on to the online shorebirds class taught by David on August 5, 12, and 19. Locations for the field trip will include Oak Harbor Marina, Channel Drive, Wylie Slough (and other locations on Fir Island). Additional locations are probable as tide and time allows.

Class size limited to 15 participants.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.

[Online Class] Grouse

$60.00

3-week class conducted over Zoom

October 7, 14, and 21

7:00-8:30pm

Instructor: Connie Sidles

Cryptically colored but elaborately ornamented, shy but showy, hard to see but easy to hear, bizarrely exotic but common on our menus - the grouse of Washington are a collection of contradictions. Come hear master birder Connie Sidles take you into the hidden world of gallinaceous birds: grouse, turkeys, ptarmigans, chukars, and partridges. In this three-part class, you'll learn about the fascinating history of the wild members of the chicken family and how to ID our local residents.

Class participants will have access to the Zoom recordings for 3 weeks after the last session of the class.

Pilchuck Audubon members can receive 20% off registration. The discount code can be found in your most recent membership confirmation email/letter. Need help finding the code? Email Brian (director@pilchuckaudubon.org) to request the discount code.