Classes

Bird Alliance of Oregon classes spark curiosity, foster a deeper understanding of the natural world, and inspire people to protect native wildlife and their habitat. Classes are open to people of all skill levels and abilities, with a focus on natural history, regional conservation issues, the intersection of art and the environment, and of course, birds and wildlife.

We offer experiences both in the online classroom and in the field, with classes on bird identification, birding by ear, butterflies and dragonflies, nature-inspired art, mushrooming, plants, and more. When you take a class with Bird Alliance of Oregon, you are supporting our work to protect wildlife, wild places, and humans alike.

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Online Classes

Join Bird Alliance of Oregon’s expert naturalists and educators from the comfort of your own home. From waterfowl, birding hotspots, bird identification, online watercolor, to owls and more, our selection of online classes will prep you for taking your newly learned skills out into the field. All online classes run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (except online art classes) and recordings are sent out to registered participants after class.

You’re Not From Around Here: Introduced Bird Species in Oregon with John Rakestraw
  • March 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna Fujisawa: The House Finch
  • March 27, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Flycatchers! with John Rakestraw
  • April 9, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna Fujisawa: Anna’s Hummingbird and Native Plants
  • April 10, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Warblers! with John Rakestraw
  • April 16, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Orchids of Oregon with Brian Magnier
  • April 17, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Botany for Birders: Conifers with Ryan Gilpin
  • April 18, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Lazuli Bunting
  • April 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Beginning Birding by Ear: Birdsong Basics with Brodie Cass Talbott
  • April 24, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Birds of the Coast with John Rakestraw
  • April 30, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Beginning Birding by Ear: Tips and Tricks with Brodie Cass Talbott
  • May 1, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Beginning Birding by Ear: Backyard Favorites with Brodie Cass Talbott
  • May 8, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Intermediate Birding by Ear: East of the Cascades with Brodie Cass Talbott
  • May 14, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Botany for Birders: Rose City Flowers with Ryan Gilpin
  • May 15, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Herons and Ibises with John Rakestraw
  • May 21, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Anna's Hummingbird, photo by Mick Thompson

In-Person Classes

Join us for in-person classes! Class sizes are small and are a great way to level up your birding skills, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and nature, learn how to create nature journals, immerse yourself in watercolor painting, plant identification and more. Expert teaching and camaraderie provided!

Bird Journals: Colorations and Markings with Jude Siegel
  • March 9, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Cedar Waxwing
  • March 16, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *in-person
Forest Therapy with Andrea Kreiner
  • March 17, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. *in-person
Forest Therapy with Andrea Kreiner
  • March 30, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. *in-person
Bird Journals: Capturing Bird Basics with Jude Siegel
  • April 6, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: Our Yellow Warblers
  • April 20, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *in-person
Bird Journals: Continuing Bird Journal Basics with Jude Siegel
  • April 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Writing Haiku in Nature with Natalie DaSilva
  • April 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. *in-person
Forest Therapy with Andrea Kreiner
  • May 12, 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. *in-person
Whitaker Ponds Plein Air Watercolor Workshop with Ronna
  • May 18, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *in-person
Creative, Colorful Birds with Jennifer Mercede
  • May 19, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. *in-person
Collage Backyard Bird – Spotted Towhee with Teal Buehler
  • June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
A watercolor painting of a Cedar Waxwing, by Ronna Fujisawa

Immersive Birding Series

Gain a deeper relationship with nature in one of our immersive birding series. Series will often include many class opportunties and sometimes an online class component. When you register for a series, the fee includes all classes and/or field days listed. Check each event listing for details. Expert teaching and camaraderie provided! 

Willamette Valley Ecology Series with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson

  • Online Class dates:  June 12, 19 and 26, 2024, Field Day dates:  June 15, 22 and 29, 2024

Deep Birding through the Seasons: The Next Generation with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson

  • Online Class date: July 10, 2024, Field Day dates:  July 13, 20, 27, 2024 *3 spots left*

 

Birding, photo by Tara Lemezis

Join the Waitlist!

To be added to the waitlist, please click on the event and hit the register button to fill out the inquiry form. Once you have submitted your inquiry for the waitlist, you will only be contacted if a space becomes available. Thank you!

Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Saturdays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen

  • Date and time: Saturdays: February 3, March 2, and April 6, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*

Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Sundays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen

  • Date and time: Sundays: February 4, March 3, and April 7, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*

Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration: Migration Edition (Saturdays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen

  • Date and time: Saturdays: April 20, May 18, and June 15, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*

Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration: Migration Edition (Sundays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen

Lazuli Bunting, photo by Scott Carpenter

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