Beyond Birding Virtual Weekly Descriptions

Week 1: Birding Overview: Getting Started!

Although gaining in popularity in recent years, the United States has a rich history of birding. For those looking to get into birding, or for those looking to go deeper, this lesson will provide an overview of birding and what you need to get started.

In this lesson, you will learn.

• The history of birding in the United States
• What equipment you will need
• Bird conservation in Connecticut
• Connecticut fall migrants
• Quick ID tips and tricks

Week 2: Bird ID 101: Shape, Size, and Color

Fall migration brings numerous species back to and passing through Connecticut, in addition to our year-round residents. With so many birds flying about, it can be difficult to determine which species you are looking at, especially in non-breeding and juvenile plumages. But with the right tips, it gets much easier.

In this lesson you will learn:

• Field marks to focus on
• How to identify birds in the field using shape, size, and color
• Common species coming through this time of year

Week 3: Birding by Ear

Though birds are not as talkative in fall as they are in spring, learning to distinguish calls and songs can be very helpful in determining which species you are seeing out in the field. In fall, this is especially important since many species look similar without their bright breeding plumage.

In this lesson you will learn:

• What to listen for
• How to identify birds by call and song
• Resources for better birding by ear

Week 4: Birding by Habitat

There are a lot of incredible places to go birding in Connecticut (including your backyard!), and each habitat yields numerous different species. By knowing what kind of habitat you are going to, you can learn which species to expect. And when you are out in the field, knowing which habitat you are in can help narrow down what you will see.

In this lesson you will learn:

• Different habitat types of CT
• Which species to expect in which habitat
• The different regions of CT and the habitats associated with them

Week 5: Bird Behavior

You spot a bird in your backyard doing something unusual and wonder, what is that bird doing and why? Bird behavior can seem mystifying, but there is a reason behind all of them.

In this lesson you will learn:

• How to identify behaviors
• Common bird behaviors and what they mean
• Migration
• Interactions with humans

Week 6: Form and Function

One of the many things that draw people to birds is the numerous adaptations they have in order to survive in their habitats. Aside from flight and feathers, there are several unique aspects that set birds apart from other animals.

In this lesson you will learn:

• Evolution of birds
• Unique adaptations birds have
• How these adaptations help them survive