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education 2010 calendar

Field trips, Workshops, Events for all experience levels

Landscaping for Wildlife & sustainabilityWhat ecological issues can we address through landscaping? Which birds are in Tucson and what are their habitat needs? How do we go beyond just using native plants to provide habitat for birds? The course provides training to create landscapes that not only meet traditional landscaping goals, but also meet the needs of birds and other small urban wildlife (eg, for food, shelter, nesting opportunities). Meetings: Saturdays 7 am–1 pm, February 6 & 13. Lunch provided.

Wednesdays 7–9 pm, February 10 & 17. Register by January 20!Cost: $250 per person

Birds of Prey in the sulphur springs valley excursionRaptor experts from Tucson Audubon and Southeast Arizona Bird Observatory will be on hand to help with identification of the birds, to tell us why they are here, and to explain the behavior of the birds. We will be traveling in buses from Tucson. Date: Saturday, February 13. Register by Feb. 1!Cost: $90 per person

Birding By Habitat for all Birders: a Workshop for the Birds of Mt LemmonOur Sky Islands provide elevation contrasts that result in a great diversity of animals and plants. Educator Lynn Hassler will teach a class on the habitats of the Santa Catalina Mountains, describing the varied cast of avian characters. We will bird our way up the Mt. Lemmon Highway on our field trip, stopping to experience the birds associated with assorted habitats.Classroom session: Thursday, April 22, 6–7 pmField trip: Saturday, April 24Cost: $90 per person for Tucson Audubon members; $125 for

nonmembers (includes Tucson Audubon membership)

Knowing and Understanding raptors for all BirdersRaptor biologist Jim Dawson, Raptor Conservation Biologist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, will help cut through the many ambiguities of raptor identification and broaden your knowledge of the habitats and foods each species use.Classroom session: Wednesdays, April 21–May 19, 6:30–8:30 pmField trip: Saturday, May 22Cost: $185 per person for Tucson Audubon members; $220 for

nonmembers (includes Tucson Audubon membership)

riparian Family instituteThis weekend program for the entire family incorporates children’s activities into an atmosphere in which everyone can experience nature and learn together. The program focuses on the rich plant and animal life along the beautiful San Pedro River, one of the last free-flowing rivers joining Mexico and the United States, and home to hundreds of species of plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammalsDates: March 20–21, 2010; October 2010 dates TBACost: $260 for Tucson Audubon members; $295 for nonmembers.

Price is for a family of four and includes all meals.

40th annual institute of Desert ecologyJoin other students and experts during a unique four-day outdoor learning experience focusing on Sonoran Desert ecosystems. Classes and activities emphasize the dynamic relationships among birds, other animals, plants, and the physical elements of the desert. The 40th Annual Institute of Desert Ecology takes place at Catalina State Park in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson.Dates: April 15–18, 2010. Register by March 6!Cost: $425 per person for Tucson Audubon members; $460 for

nonmembers. Includes park entrance fee, camping, instruction, meals.

Bats, Bats, BatsLarge numbers of lesser long-nosed (endangered) and Mexican long-tongued nectivorous bats arrive each spring to give birth to their young. Their diet changes from saguaro (spring) to agave flower nectar (summer and fall) as they migrate southward back to Mexico. Dr. Ronnie Sidner presents two bat ecology and viewing programs. Limited to 12 participants per program.Dates: Saturday, September 11 in Tucson;

Sunday, September 12 in NogalesCost: Registration for each program is $30 per person for members,

otherwise $65; free for one child (age 10–15) per adult.

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visit www.tucsonaudubon.org for more information. To register for classes, workshops, or special events please call us at 520-629-0510

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GEORGE WEST

GEORGE WEST

For Beginners

BacKyarD BirDing & BeyonD

Learn why southeastern Arizona is such a great place for birds and why birdwatching is so much darn fun! We’ll address how to separate birds by habitat, seasonal occurrence, and behavior. We’ll learn about field marks and vocalizations. Get the lowdown on binoculars and field guides, birding vocabulary, and etiquette in the field. As a participant you will learn how to identify local birds and discover some of their interesting characteristics and charms. We will also cover some of the adaptations birds have developed in order to survive in our challenging environment. Taught by Lynn Hassler, longtime birder, educator and noted author, this course is designed for BEGINNERS. Includes three two-hour classroom sessions and two field trips, up to about three hours in length. Cost for each five-session course: $135 per person for members, $170 for nonmembers which includes a Friends of Tucson Audubon membership.Tucson courseClassroom sessions: Thursdays, February 4, 11, and 18, 6–8 pm at

Tucson Audubon officesField trips: Saturdays, February 6 and 20; locations/times TBAgreen valley courseClassroom sessions: Mondays, February 8, 15, and 22, 10

am–12 pm, location Joyner-Green valley LibraryField trips: Mondays, March 1 and 8; locations/times TBA

For intermediate BirdersThe varied landscapes of southeast Arizona are a paradise for birds and for birders. More than 400 species can be found here each year. There are many opportunities for finding birds in the Tucson area, with many resident and migrant species mixing together in various habitats throughout the year. To increase birders’ enjoyment of these riches, Tucson Audubon Society has created the Moving to Mastery Course and specialty Workshops.

Moving To MasTeryBecome a better birder! Our Moving to Mastery course, designed for adults with some birding experience and skills, is offered just once a year. Over a period of 5 weeks, master birder and educator Homer Hansen will guide you through the identification of difficult species groups and provide tools to build up your birding abilitites. Topics addressed include using technical reference works, understanding bird topography, getting started in flight and voice indentification, and birding by habitat. The course includes five class sessions (held at Tucson Audubon) and four field trips with destinations selected to reinforce the topics covered in class.Classroom sessions: Wednesdays, October 13–November 10,

6–9 pmField trips: Saturdays, October 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 7 amCost: $250 per person for Tucson Audubon members; $285 for

nonmembers (includes Tucson Audubon membership)

sPeciaLTy WorKsHoPs For inTerMeDiaTe BirDersAs part of the Lifelong Birding Series we are pleased to offer four Specialty Workshops, taught by Homer Hansen, which focus on identification details for specific groups. These classes are open to all, but those who have taken the Moving to Mastery Class will be given preference. Each two-day class is comprised of one Wednesday evening lecture and one Saturday field trip. These workshops, held once or twice a year during the peak periods for the species involved, are limited to 10 participants. Transportation to the field trip sites is the responsibility of the participant; carpooling is highly recommended. Cost per workshop: $110 per person for Tucson Audubon members; $145 for nonmembers (includes Tucson Audubon membership)sparrowsSoutheast Arizona hosts an incredible diversity of wintering sparrows. This detailed workshop about sparrow behavior, structure and identification characteristics will have you checking “LBJs” with confidence. special second session—only four places left. sign up now!Classroom session: Wednesday,

February 10Field trips: Saturday, February 20WarblersLearn how to distinguish those challenging fall warblers. The workshop will teach key structural characteristics and similar species comparisons, with an introduction to learning warbler vocalizations.Classroom session: Wednesday, September 1Field trips: Saturday, September 4FlycatchersReady to leap into the identification of Empidonax and Myiarchus flycatchers? This workshop introduces you to the diverse family Tyrannidae and highlights ways to separate the kingbirds, pewees, and flycatchers of southeast Arizona.Classroom session: Wednesday, September 8Field trips: Saturday, September 11

Please visit www.tucsonaudubon.org for more information. To register for classes, workshops, or special events please call us at 520-629-0510

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JAMES PRUDENTE

JAMES PRUDENTE