When we walk down the street or through the park, caught up in our own little worlds, we are often disturbing the birds. When we do this, the birds set off alarms to the other wildlife in the area, signaling our approach. This early warning system is the reason that most of us don't experience wildlife all that frequently. The animals are actually tipped off that we're coming long before we arrive because they're tuned in to the birds. They have to be, or else they won't survive.
Birds just don't alarm humans, but other animals as well. Especially predators that threaten either them or their young. The neat thing is that they alarm different predators differently and the type of alarm is indicative of a certain species of animal. We'll teach you how to identify the different types of alarm and more importantly how not to set off alarms so that you experience more wildlife.
In this class we'll spend a day in a place where bird species are incredibly diverse (over 200 species are seen here over the course of a year). We'll learn not only the species that live at Union Bay and their behavior, but also how they interact with the other wildlife in the area. Your walks in nature will be forever changed after taking this class. There's a story always going on out there and you'll know how to read it.
Topics covered include:
- Bird vocalizations and behavior and how to interpret them.
- Identification and where to find specific bird species.
- Being able to tell which predator or animal is moving through the landscape based on the bird's behavior.
- Use knowledge of bird behavior and habitat to find resources within the landscape.
- How to avoid setting off alarms and increasing your wildlife experience.