Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages)

Learn more about birdwatching at an Intro to Birding and eBird on Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio and outdoors.

Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will help students learn about bird identification during the cooler months, when fewer species are on the landscape. Participants will learn how to identify year-round residents as well as winter visitors by focusing on distinctive features like plumage patterns, feeding behavior and vocalizations.

Winter species at the Park typically include woodpeckers, nuthatches, owls and finches, each adapted to survive the harsher conditions.

A key aspect of the course will be learning to use eBird, a tool for birders developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which allows users to log their sightings, track seasonal patterns, access local checklists and help anticipate which species are likely be seen. The app also includes real-time data to help birders identify hot spots within the Park, making it easier to locate wintering birds. It also helps in global conservation efforts by compiling valuable data about bird populations and trends.

Each class will be split between learning in the classroom and birding in the field. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first-come basis. At times the hikes will leave the trails, so please dress accordingly.

$20/person (all ages). Register by Feb. 17. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email Nate Beccue at nbeccue@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.