Virtual Classes
Portland Audubon 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 Portland Audubon, you are supporting our work to protect wildlife, wild places, and humans alike.
*Classes are virtual, with the exception of Field Classes, or otherwise noted.
Please register for each class that you would like to take.
If you have a question regarding an upcoming program or registration issue, please check our FAQs below or email classes@audubonportland.org.
Amphibians & Reptiles
Instructor: John Rakestraw
This class is an introduction to finding and identifying the common reptiles and amphibians of the Portland Metro Area.
Beginner’s Guide to Herping
- May 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Intermediate Birding by Ear
Instructor: Brodie Cass Talbott
In these virtual classes, we’ll focus on vocalizations by habitat (wetlands, forest, mountains, etc), building upon skills and techniques covered in the Beginning Birding by Ear series. These intermediate classes are the perfect way to sharpen your birding by ear skills! Please register separately for each class.
East of the Cascades
- May 17, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Mountains
- June 7, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Birds of a Feather: An Intro to Avian Species
Instructors: Greg Smith & Erin Law
Perhaps you’ve been up on Mt. Tabor and heard the zu-wee of the Hutton’s Vireo, or the rambling call of the Warbling Vireo and thought who are these little songbirds related to? We will examine the evolutionary history, anatomy, physiology, and natural history of Vireonidae, the family of vireos, shrike-babblers, and Erpornis.
Vireonidae: Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, Erpornis
- May 25, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Seabird Identification: Nearshore and Offshore Birds
Instructor: Greg Smith
Join seabird biologist and birder Greg Smith and learn to identify seabirds by sight, flight manner, and wing morphology. *This is a class series of two and includes both days of classes.
Seabird Identification: Nearshore and Offshore Birds
- May 26 & May 27, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dragonfly Basics
Instructor: Stefan Schlick
A primer on dragonflies and damselflies between Eugene, Oregon and Bellingham, Washington. In part one we will cover dragonfly biology basics and begin to cover darners. In part two, we will finish with darners then look at skimmers, meadowhawks, spreadwings, all damselflies, and some oddballs. Please register separately for each class.
Dragonfly Basics, Part One
- June 8, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dragonfly Basics, Part Two
- June 10, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The New School of Birding, Module 3
Instructors: Candace Larson and Dan van den Broek
In this module, we hope to raise your awareness of the subtle cues of nature, and bring you into closer understanding of the lives of our feathered neighbors. We’ll explore how and why birds migrate, delving into the mysteries of how birds stay on course, how scientists measure migration, systems of feather molt, the amazing journeys of long-distance migrants, and much more.
The New School of Birding, Module 3
- Online Class, Wednesdays: July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18, & August 25 from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm
Field Days: July 31, August 14 & August 28, from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm/4:00 pm (depending on destination) *2 spots left*
