Advanced Birding Class-Webinar: Shorebirds

Ready to take your birding skills to the next level? This two-part program from Manatee County Audubon Society focuses on shorebird identification, helping you confidently recognize the most common and uncommon species seen along our coasts.

Part 1: Zoom Webinar – Monday, November 3rd

In this engaging evening session, you’ll learn:

• What defines a shorebird and how to observe them by size, structure, and feeding behavior.

• How to identify plovers, sandpipers, and Tringines (the “legs and dowitchers”) in both breeding and non-breeding plumage.

• Easy-to-remember mnemonics and field tips using vivid images from Macaulay Library and local Florida photos.

• Practice your skills with real-world ID quizzes using photos from local expert KMD.

We’ll cover species including:

• Plovers: Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping

• Sandpipers: Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Least, Semipalmated, Western, Dunlin, and Red Knot

• Tringines: Willet, Yellowlegs, Solitary, Stilt Sandpiper, Dowitchers

You’ll also learn how to report banded birds and gain access to extra resources for independent practice, including top Facebook ID groups and Cornell Lab’s shorebird ID course.

Part 2: Field Trip – Saturday, November 8th 8:00am Piney Point or Robinson Preserve South

Put your knowledge into action with a guided field trip, one of Florida’s premier shorebird hotspots. Kathy Doddridge will be on hand to help you test your ID skills in real time while observing dozens of species in their natural habitat

Presenter Kathy Doddridge

REGISTER HERE:

Advanced Birding Class- Webinar: Shorebirds | Manatee County Audubon Society

1-2 hours slide-show presentation and discussion with follow-up field trip.

$20 per person registration is required go to manateeaudubon.org/shop to sign up for the class

Link to the webinar will be provided to registered participants via email.

*Deadline to sign up  5 days before virtual meeting. Max 18 students.