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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

BIRDING BY EAR

21-26 April 2008
Concan, Texas
Instructor: Mark Suomala

Focus on identification, by sound, of woodland, river bottom & scrubland birds in the south-central Edward's Plateau region of Texas.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Long-billed Thrasher. 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: Black-capped and Bell's Vireos, Golden-cheeked and Yellow-throated Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, American Redstart, Winter Wren, Hermit & Wood Thrushes, Veery, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Long-billed Thrasher and Olive, Black-throated, Cassin's, and White-crowned 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 the southern Edward's Plateau scrublands, forests, 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 four spring seasons in the White Mountain National Forest, conducting bird surveys and has a graduate degree in Environmental Studies from Antioch University. He has taught the ABA IFO Birding by Ear course for the past 4 years.

WORKSHOP LOCATION

Photo by Mark Suomala.

The workshop will take place in the south-central Edward's Plateau of Texas, an area with diverse habitats, and a rich breeding habitat for many neotropical migrants. We will visit many local "hot-spot" birding areas such as the Garner State Park, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and the Kern Wildlife Management Area. Our location will allow us the benefit of exploring river valley, hardwood forests, and scrublands all within a two-hour drive of our lodging.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ash-throated Flycatcher. Photo by Mark Suomala.

Participants should have good hearing ability, and be able to walk up 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 cool or rainy conditions, and even the possibility of hot weather. Mosquitoes and other biting insects (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

$1529
Single room supplement: $164

Price includes: Ground transportation, lodging, breakfasts, lunches, and closing 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