Learn bird identification out in the field as Wayne heads to a variety of warbler destinations and habitats!

This is the second of a 2-part “Birds and Birding on the Eastern Shore” series offered in the 2025 winter and spring semesters.

Part 1 focused last winter on water birds that are largely winter residents of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast regions.

Part 2 will emphasize warblers, those often colorful waifs that migrate North through our region or take up summer residence here. Despite their colorful nature, these active little birds are a challenge to identify as they forage among the leaves. We will do our best to see as many species as possible as we visit some of the regional hotspots at times when they are most likely to be present and in song. Warblers are a universal challenge; both beginners and seasoned birders are welcome to join this quest. Incidentally, we will not neglect any other songbirds we might happen to see.

Most of the teaching will be done in the field, bird-by-bird, species-by-species found. There will be five field trips, two morning outings to local destinations and three essentially all-day excursions to hot spots farther afield.

Two in-person/hybrid classes will begin and end the course. The first class will introduce some of the warblers we are likely to see and the birding skills needed to identify them. The last class will re-visit warbler identification based on the species found during the course and explore some approaches to their conservation.

Two classroom sessions on April 10th and June 5th from 2:30 – 4 PM (In person at the Easton Family, YMCA, via ZOOM or recording). Five (5) field trips on Monday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 22nd, Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 27th, and June 5th.  $80.00. To register visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.