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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

BIRDING BY EAR

21-26 May 2007
Concord, New Hampshire
Instructor: Mark Suomala

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Blackpoll Warbler. Photo by Mark Suomala.

Study the primary songs and contact notes of approximately 75-100 species of birds, including many neotropical migrants in this exciting workshop. Species that we hope to encounter include: Red-eyed Warbling, and Blue-headed Vireos, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Winter Wren, Wood and Hermit Thrushes, Least and Willow Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Vesper and Field Sparrows. We will learn field survey methods, such as those used in point-counts and BBS routes that rely mainly on birdsong identification skills. In the classroom, we'll explore how commercial recordings, mnemonics, and sonagrams are used both to analyze and help recognize songs, and in the field we'll work in pairs to observe and record bird songs and sounds. In addition, we will also cover tips about identification using field marks, behavior and habitat preference cues. Our study will include birds in a variety of habitats and elevations from oak/hickory forest, oak/pine/maple forest, shrub lands, saltmarsh, and wetlands.

INSTRUCTOR

Mark Suomala is an experienced birder and naturalist who has organized and led many nature tours throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has worked as field biologist for New Hampshire Audubon, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, and has volunteered extensively as a bird-banding assistant on the Isles of Shoals. Mark has worked extensively as a field technician conducting bird surveys, including four spring seasons in the White Mountain National Forest. He established a Breeding Bird Survey on the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge where he has conducted surveys for six years. Mark has led numerous workshops on birdsong identification and has a graduate degree in Environmental Studies from Antioch University. For more on his tours visit www.marksbirdtours.com.

WORKSHOP LOCATION

The workshop will take place in southern New Hampshire, which has a variety of habitats and is the breeding ground for many neotropical migrants. We will visit many top-notch birding areas such as the Pawtuckaway State Park with its abundant wood warblers, Clough State Park with its shrub land birds, and several saltmarsh locations where we may have a chance to hear both Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows singing side-by-side. Our location will allow us the benefit of exploring river valleys, wetlands, upland forest, and coastal salt marsh all within one-hour's drive of our lodging.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

White-throated Sparrow. Photo by Mark Suomala.

Participants should have good hearing ability, and be able to walk 2-6 miles in one day. The pace will be slow and on level ground with some walking on uneven terrain with exposed tree roots and rocks. Good walking shoes or boots should be sufficient. Local weather can be quite variable, but be prepared for chilly or rainy conditions, and even the possibility of hot weather. Mosquitoes and black flies (that's what brings the birds here!) can be pesky if you are not ready for them, so participants should be prepared with long sleeve shirts, long pants, and bug repellent.

WORKSHOP PRICES

$1495
Single room supplement: $254

Price includes: Ground transportation, lodging, breakfasts, lunches, and one dinner. Workshop is limited to 10 participants.

ABA Institute for Field Ornithology, ABA
4945 N 30th St, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719/578-9703 x235 . fax 719/578-1480 . ifo@aba.org