Five classes paired with five field trips to selected habitats creates an in-depth intro to bird identification!

Discover the joy of birding through a hands-on introduction to bird identification, tailored for beginners, but also welcoming seasoned birders.  This winter course combines classroom learning with guided field trips to habitats selected for their rich species diversity—making birding both easier and more fun!

This is Part I of a two-part series, Birds and Birding on the Eastern Shore series offered in the 2026 winter and spring semesters. Each part stands alone—participants may take one or both.

Part I (Winter Semester): 

Focuses the basics of bird identification, emphasizing locally common species found in representative Eastern Shore habitats. This course is especially suitable for beginners looking to build their confidence in species identification, though experienced birders are encouraged to join and assist in identifying tricky species. 

Target species include:

• Year-round resident birds (especially songbirds) plus 
• Winter residents (primarily waterfowl) 

There will be a total of five in-person/hybrid classes, each followed two days later by field trips to a habitat chosen for its potential to yield diverse bird sightings. 

Class sessions will preview field trip destinations, highlight expected species, and introduce key bird conservation topics. 

Part II (Spring Semester), will apply the fundamentals of bird identification to bird migration through a series of classes and extended field trips to regional birding “hot spots.” 

Requirements:  

Due to the importance of being able to get good looks at the birds seen, participants in both courses must have a birding-quality pair of binoculars; 7×42 or 8×42 recommended. 

Some field birding will require walking distances of up to a mile.

What to expect: 

You will gain confidence in identifying many of the common bird species that winter on the Eastern Shore’s fields, hedgerows, wetlands, bays, and coastal waters. In addition to clues such as field marks, general appearance, and behavior, we will see how the relationship between species and habitat provides additional identification information as well as insights into approaches to bird conservation.

Feedback from earlier programs with Wayne:

“Wayne is an excellent teacher and human being. The field trips are outstanding. He is born to lead them. Please keep the field trips coming- they are the experiences of a lifetime. The field trips are key.”

“I learned so much from the amazing teacher, Wayne Bell. He is a true treasure and I look forward to taking other classes from him.”

“Appreciate the academic level of Dr. Bell’s classes as well as a practical approach for beginning birders – material accessible and not too overwhelming, but with a firm underpinning of science.”

5 Class Sessions | Wednesdays | Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18 | 2:30 – 4pm | HYBRID (your choice to come in person, thru zoom, or wait for the recording) | + 5 Field Trips | Fridays | Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20 | $80