Excited about birding, but not sure where to start?

Duration

1 hour per class, 4 classes per session

Part 1: Birding Basics (4 weeks) Part 2: Birding Skills (4 weeks)

Cost

Sign up for the full series and save! $40 per session (Part 1 or Part 2) $70 per series (Parts 1 & 2) $15 per class (freestyle - pick the topics that interest you!)

About

Register now to join Kristine Rivers with Birding for Fun for her next series of Beginner Birding Virtual Classes! Classes will be held via Zoom on Mondays at 7pm. Register for the entire series or just the topics that interest you!

Classes are designed to be interactive, and you will get the most benefit from participating live. All classes are recorded, however, so if you miss one you can just view the video to get caught up!

PART 1: BIRDING BASICS

Join us for a relaxed introduction to birding!

June 23 - July 14, 2025

• Monday, June 23, 2025: Intro to Birding - Find out why the Upper Texas Coast area offers some of the best birding in the world, and how you can get involved! We’ll also review some common species of birds in our area, with tips on identification.

• Monday, June 30, 2025: How to Select Binoculars & Field Guides - Excited about birding, but not sure where to start? This class will give you insight into how to select the binoculars and field guides that are right for you, so you can feel confident when making purchasing decisions. We also review free resources including apps and websites.

• Monday, July 7, 2025: Understanding Your Birding Field Guide - Crest, crown, speculum, undertail coverts, supercilium—seriously? Don't let the terminology in your field guide confuse you! We'll help you make sense of what everything means, in easy to understand language, using photos of birds in our area as examples. Have your field guide nearby if you would like to refer to it during class.

• Monday, July 14, 2025: Using Your Birding Field Guide - When you're just starting out, using your field guide to try to identify a bird in the field can be difficult! We'll help you narrow down where to look in your field guide, and talk about different identification methods using size and shape, behavior, and habitat clues. Then you'll have a chance to practice your identification skills, so be sure to have your favorite field guide handy!

PART 2: BIRDING SKILLS

Gain a deeper understanding to improve your birding skills!

July 21 - August 11, 2025

• Monday, July 21, 2025: Location, Location, Location! Understanding Habitat – Birds are an amazingly diverse group of animals with over 10,000 species worldwide, because they have adapted over time to survive in almost every type of habitat. We’ll take a close look at the many different habitat types along the Upper Texas Coast, and the kinds of birds that each attracts.

• Monday, July 28, 2025: Bird’s Eye View on Behavior – Fascinated with bird behavior? So are we! Join us for this special presentation using our personal videos of a variety of birds in action to learn how you can use behavior to help with identification.

• Monday, August 4, 2025: It’s Time for a Makeover! Understanding Plumage Variation – In this interactive presentation, we'll discuss the reasons for plumage variations; how molting can affect identification; and color changes of bills, lores, legs, and feet. Bring your favorite field guide or app to practice your identification skills!

• Monday, August 11, 2025: Focus on Observation – Our personal videos of beautiful and interesting birds bring the field experience to you in this interactive workshop focused on observation. You'll work with other participants to describe physical appearance, plumage, behavior, habitat, etc. before identifying each bird. Be sure to have your favorite field guide or app handy!