Where and when does the class meet?

Meet at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407 at the listed start time; check the booking link for exact arrival guidance.

Bring binoculars, a field guide, smartphone, water, and layered clothing; binoculars and guides are available to borrow if needed.

Is there an age minimum?

Yes, participants should be age 10 or older to join the walk portion.

Are the walks accessible?

Terrain is generally flat and easy, but contact the organizer for specific accessibility needs before booking.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or email: cwatts@crabtreefarms.org if you have any questions.

Birding 101 at Crabtree Farms: Beginner Birdwatching Class in Chattanooga | Guided Tour | Walking Tour

Q: How much does it cost?

There is a suggested $10 donation to support Crabtree Farms programming.

On a crisp spring morning at the edge of downtown Chattanooga, a small band of learners gathers amid raised beds, pollinator plots, and open meadow at Crabtree Farms. Birding 101 is a three-hour, beginner-focused class that meets at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407 and pairs classroom basics with a short guided walk. The Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society (CTOS) leads the session, with OJ James Morgan bringing field-tested tips on using binoculars, field guides, and apps to separate a warbler from a vireo by sight and song. Crabtree Farms is a unique teaching landscape: an urban farm that functions as a habitat island in the Tennessee River valley, framed by remnant hardwood edge, sunlit plots, and a pollinator garden that attracts migratory songbirds. Features to look for during the walk include the farm fields, the wooded edge, and the garden beds that concentrate insects and nectar—natural pull for insectivores and nectar-feeding migrants. Expect to encounter sparrows, chickadees, woodpeckers, and seasonal warblers; raptors can be seen on thermaling days. The class is practical and hands-on. In a short indoor briefing participants learn binocular basics, recorder apps, and field-guide navigation; then the group moves outside to practice silent observation, call recognition, and quick-sketch field notes. Binoculars and guides are available for those who don’t bring gear, and the small group size (up to 20) keeps the learning personalized. There’s a suggested $10 donation to support Crabtree Farms programming. Birding 101 is both an educational introduction and a gateway to Chattanooga’s broader birding network. CTOS volunteers share local hotspots, seasonal timing for migration pulses, and tips for tracking sightings using apps. Families with children age 10 and up will find the pace welcoming; the terrain is flat and accommodating to light walking, but good footwear and layered clothing make the outing more comfortable. This is a low-impact, community-centered experience that showcases how urban agriculture supports wildlife while offering a practical introduction to birdwatching skills. Whether you’re a budding backyard birder or a visitor wanting an intimate, guided look at Chattanooga’s spring migrants, this class pairs place-based ecology with clear instruction. Reserve a spot through the organizer’s booking link to join the next session and discover how much life a city farm can hold. Participants often leave with a checklist, a sense of where to look on their next backyard outing, and region-specific identification tips that accelerate learning. Instructors explain how to log sightings responsibly and how seasonal land management at Crabtree Farms benefits migrating birds. The session links newcomers into CTOS field trips and local conservation efforts, making it an efficient first step from curious observer to active member of Chattanooga’s birding community today.