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Field Class: Patching Together: Smallscale Birding for Fun!

All levels of birders, especially beginners, are welcome to join this series of three one-hour online meetings and two three-hour field trips to discover and explore our own patches and the birds that live there.

What is patch birding anyway? 

It is simply regularly observing birds in a small area that is close to you. Before we have our first class meeting, please choose your patch. Preferably your patch is within walking distance of your home or your place of work. Your patch can be as big or small as you’d like as long as you can cover the whole patch in an hour or so. This could be a local park, a cemetery, your backyard, or anywhere with habitat. Really the possibilities are endless.

During our interactive group Zoom meetings, we will share with each other our experience in our patch that week, and I will give an overview of the seasonal changes that are happening. These classes take place during the peak of spring migration and are spaced so that we are likely to notice big changes in the bird population between weeks. It will be fun to compare our observations with each other!

Once you start walking your patch routinely (using the same route each time), you will become quickly familiar with the bird species there and may even get to know individual birds! You may discover a particular branch on a particular tree where Anna’s Hummingbird likes to perch or a certain bush that tends to have a group of sparrows skulking under it.

Who knows? You may decide you’d like to build a daily or weekly practice to continue birding your patch after this class and for long into the future.

*This field class series offers three one-hour long Zoom meetings and your choice of two of the three field trips offered. This will be time in the field birding together to develop community, discuss seasonal changes, and develop your bird identification skills.

Field Trip Options (You choose two to attend.)

Fernhill Wetlands: May 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Kelley Point Park: May 28, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Powell Butte Nature Park: June 1, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Zoom Class Meeting Times (Please attend all three.)

May 2, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
May 24, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
May 30, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Curious about "patch birding"?

All levels of birders and especially beginners are welcome to join this series of both online meetings and field trips to discover and explore our own patches and the birds that live there.

Register!
Anna's Hummingbird, photo by Mick Thompson

Fernhill Wetlands Accessibility

Distance: 1-1.5 miles
Elevation changes: None
Trail tread and width: Ten-foot wide trails with a mix of fine gravel, wood chips, and packed dirt.
Sun exposure: Full
Pacing: Slow, with frequent stops to view and listen for birds.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restroom in the parking lot
Public transit: Trimet Bus 57 stops .8 miles away in Forest Grove
Rest stops: None

Fernhill Wetlands by Candace Larson

Kelly Point Park Accessibility

Distance: 1.3-mile loop
Elevation changes: up to 150 feet
Trail tread and width: Mostly unevenly paved trail, some narrow single track, gravel/packed earth. There are a lot of cracks and lips along the paved trails. All the trails leading to the water are soft surfaces.
Exposure: Partial shade
Pacing: Slow, with frequent stops to view and listen for birds.
Amenities: There are two sets of restrooms with accessible stalls along the paths.
Public transit: TriMet bus 11, weekday service, only. Stay on the bike path and use the underpass east of the bridge over Columbia Slough. To first parking lot is .4 miles.
Rest stops: Benches available

Kelly Point Park Trail, photo by Portland.Gov

Powell Butte Nature Park Accessibility

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Changes: up to 150 feet
Trail Tread and Width: Mostly narrow single track, gravel/packed earth
Exposure: Full
Pacing: Slow, with frequent stops to view and listen for birds.
Amenities: Bathrooms are available at the parking lot, with ample free parking. It is recommended not to leave any valuables in your car.
Public transit: The area is served by the #15 Trimet bus, which has a stop .25 miles away.
Rest stops: None with benches, but we will move slowly.

Powell Butte, photo by Jim Choate

Field Class Details

  • Fee: $175 members / $225 non-members

  • Field Trip Options (You choose two to attend.)

    Fernhill Wetlands: May 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Kelley Point Park: May 28, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    Powell Butte Nature Park: June 1, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    Zoom Class Meeting Times (Please attend all three.)

    May 2, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    May 24, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    May 30, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

  • Limited to 10 participants.

Adult Education Classes, Field Trips, and Audubon Birding Days Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy
Instructor

Erin Law

Erin fell in love with birding while working at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. After college, she studied Red-throated Loons, Common Loons and shorebird migration at Grays Harbor, Washington. Erin is passionate about the natural histories of birds, conservation, and advocating for environmental and social justice. She has traveled throughout Latin America and East Africa and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for birds and the natural world, and for all cultures around the world.

Questions? Email Erin
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Details

Date:
May 2
Time:
6:00 am - 7:00 pm
Event Categories:
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Venue

OR United States
Website:
https://audubonportland.org/venue/3749/

Venue

OR United States
Website:
https://audubonportland.org/venue/3749/

Organizer

Tara Lemezis
Phone:
971-222-6131
Email:
tlemezis@audubonportland.org

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