Shorebird Identification, with Tim Boyer

For the beginning or intermediate birder who is interested in shorebirds and how to identify them, curious about where they go when they’re not on the coast, why they migrate through Washington, and what we should know about their conservation and incredible migrations.

In two evening sessions we’ll cover methodologies for sorting out those “brown little peeps.” We’ll concentrate on viewing similarities and explore ways of telling species apart. We’ll discuss the typical identification markings, as well as size, shape, habitat, and behavior.

In class you’ll see multiple photographs of each bird, including its various stages: juvenile, adult, breeding, and male/female. For shorebirds that are similar, such as Western and Least Sandpipers, side-by-side images will demonstrate not only the similarities, but also the remarkable differences between similar species.

The field trip will be a full day, with a dozen or more stops that will offer close views of just about all of the common coastal shorebirds. If the class is full, we’ll split into two field trips. This is easier on the birds and the instructor.

Possible species include: Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Least and Western Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet, Whimbrel, and Marbled Godwit.

Evening sessions: Tuesdays, March 20 and March 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Avenue South, Kirkland.

Field trip: Saturday, March 31, or Sunday, April 1. (Students will choose at the first class.)

Cost: $60 members, $80 non-members, plus carpool share. Evening sessions only: $40 members, $55 non-members.

Limit: 16 participants.

Registration: Call the Eastside Audubon office at (425) 576-8805 to reserve your space and arrange payment by check or credit card.