 |
||
 |
 |
|
           |
||
INTRODUCTION TO THE BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
By Ron Martin
This talk will present an overview of North Dakota birds and the various habitats found in the state. We will touch on some geology, history, and land use practices in relation to bird populations, past and present. Our main focus will be grassland and wetland birds and the conservation challenges we face today in our effort to reverse the decline of these species.
GOT MOLT?
What's the point and will you age better if you know a little about it?
By Steve N. G. Howell
This talk is an overview of molt, one of the most fundamental things in any bird's life: no molt = no feathers = no bird! But this is such a big subject that we will only cover the basics. Armed with solid basic knowledge, you can look at any bird and try to relate its molt to all aspects of its life history: its food, whether it migrates, size, and many other fascinating variables. Once you have an idea of the bigger picture it will help when aging birds wherever you are – because the same few principles apply from Alaska to Antarctica, from Mexico to Madagascar.
First we'll discuss molt and feathers on a very general scale, with some background theory: defining molt, types of molt, and molt strategies with examples. Then we'll talk about the Real World, what you can see on a bird to help you determine its age: feather quality, feather shape, and molt limits. And then, it's time for any questions you have.
BIRDING by EAR in MINOT
By Michael O'Brien
The prairies and riparian habitats surrounding Minot are home to a wide variety of breeding birds, many of which are much easier to hear than to see. Deciphering these sounds is a challenging endeavor but one that not only vastly increases our awareness of the birds around us, but also brings heightened pleasure to our time in the field. On this workshop we'll focus on identifying birds by sound in general while paying particular attention to some of the most similar species groups.
THE BIG PICTURE
By Louise Zemaitis
Birding can become a lifelong pursuit. One can easily focus on the finer points of identification or the quest for life birds without seeing the big picture. In this workshop, Louise will present birds within their natural habitats, shared with other organisms. Learning more about the context within which we see birds will heighten one's awareness of how birds live and improve birding skills.
Our Leaders/Instructors
Steve N. G. Howell grew up birding in Wales but has spent most of the past 25 years traveling and birding in the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, with most of that time spent in the Neotropics. He is now based in California, near Point Reyes Bird Observatory, where he holds the position of Research Associate. Books he has authored and co-authored include A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America, Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide, and most recently, Gulls of the Americas. He is now working on a book about molt in North American birds, and a photographic guide to albatrosses and petrels of North America. Steve's interests beyond birds include butterflies and chocolate.
Ron Martin is the North Dakota Coordinator of the Breeding Bird Survey, Past Chairman of the North Dakota Records Committee, and Past President, North Dakota Birding Society. In addition he is the N. Great Plains Editor for North American Birds and co-author of the upcoming Birdfinding Guide to North Dakota, to be published by the ABA.
Michael O'Brien is an artist, author, and naturalist living in West Cape May, New Jersey. He is a tour guide for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours and conducts workshops for Cape May Bird Observatory. His interest in birds and love for teaching led him to co-author The Shorebird Guide, Flight Calls of Migratory Birds, and America's 100 Most Wanted Birds. His illustrations have been widely published, including in National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America.
Louise Zemaitis is an artist, naturalist and VENT tour leader living in Cape May, New Jersey. She is a popular field trip leader in Cape May where she leads bird and butterfly walks and teaches birding workshops as an Associate Naturalist with Cape May Bird Observatory. Louise is also coordinator of the Monarch Monitoring Project in Cape May and curator of the Cape May Bird Observatory Art Gallery. An honors graduate of Temple University's Tyler School of Art, she enjoys working as a freelance artist and her illustrations have been widely published.
 |
|
|