Five classes paired with five field trips to selected habitats create an immersive, in‑depth introduction to bird identification

Discover the joy of birding through a hands‑on, confidence‑building introduction to bird identification—perfect for beginners and equally welcoming to seasoned birders looking to sharpen their skills. This spring course blends engaging classroom sessions with guided field trips to habitats chosen for their rich diversity of species, making birding both accessible and genuinely fun.

This course is the second installment in the two‑part Birds and Birding on the Eastern Shore series offered during the 2026 winter and spring semesters. While the two courses complement each other, each stands fully on its own.

Like its predecessor, Part II returns to the fundamentals of bird identification, using common Eastern Shore species as the foundation for learning. The focus will be on permanent and summer breeding residents as well as representative transient migrants. We will explore songbirds and shorebirds, using key habitats—introduced and discussed in class—as the lens through which to understand where and why certain species are found.

Each class session previews the upcoming field trip, highlighting the habitat(s) to be visited and the species most likely to be encountered. Three of the field trips will be four‑hour excursions to local destinations, while two will take participants farther afield for nearly full‑day birding adventures.

Schedule:

Classes are on Thursdays, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, in person at the Chesapeake Forum classroom at the Easton Family YMCA, by ZOOM, or by recording.  Scheduled field trips are the following week (subject to change primarily due to weather).

1. CLASS: 9 April 2026: Birding basics; permanent resident species. 
   • FIELD TRIP #1:  Monday, 13 April 2026: Common residents, very early migrants (Adkins Arboretum) 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
2. CLASS: 16 April 2026: Ecological succession; early summer residents and migrants: Songbird migration: thrushes, warblers and more. 
   • FIELD TRIP #2: Tuesday, 21 April 2026: A bird in the hand (Foreman’s Branch Banding Station, Washington College) 8:00 – 12 noon.
   • FIELD TRIP #3: Monday, 27 April 2026: Some local specialties (upper Nassawango; LeCompte Wildlife Management Area) 7:00 – 3:00 PM (ALL-DAY TRIP) 
3. CLASS: 30 April 2026: Succession revisited: flycatchers, finches and sparrows.  
   • FIELD TRIP #4: Monday, 4 May 2026: Summer residents (Pickering Creek Audubon Center) 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
4. CLASS: 7 May 2026: Shorebird migration and common shorebird species.  
   • FIELD TRIP #5:  Monday, 11 May 2026: Shorebirds (Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Delaware Bay) 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (ALL DAY TRIP)
5. CLASS: 14 May 2026: Summing up; insights into bird conservation.

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 are recommended. 

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

What to expect: 

This combined classroom‑and‑field course is designed with novices in mind, offering a supportive environment where new birders can build skills step by step. More experienced birders are warmly encouraged to join as well; their observations and expertise enrich the experience for everyone.

You will gain confidence in identifying many of the common birds found at feeders, in backyards, and throughout the Delmarva Peninsula’s environmental centers. In addition to learning key clues—such as field marks, overall appearance, and behavior—you’ll explore how the relationship between species and habitat provides essential identification insights and deepens understanding of conservation needs.

While many of the species encountered will be familiar, they serve as a gateway to recognizing less-common birds—species that stand out precisely because they don’t fit the expected pattern. By the end of the course, you’ll be better equipped to notice, name, and appreciate the full diversity of birds that call the Eastern Shore home.

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.”

“I 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 | Thursdays | Apr 9, Apr 16, Apr 30, May 7, May 14 | 2:30 – 4pm | HYBRID (your choice to enjoy in person, thru Zoom, or wait for the recording) | and 5 Field Trips | Varied days/ times | Apr 13, Apr 21, Apr 27, May 4, May 11 | $80