This is class is now full, but we are adding people to the waitlist. Contact annemarie@travisaudubon.org to learn more.

Class Instructor: Jeff Patterson and Eric Stager
Class level: Intermediate / Advanced
Field trip and Lecture dates: 8 Sunday meetings Feb – Dec 2025 (see schedule below)
Class fee: $240 for TAS Members, $275 for non-members

Are you ready to be a better birder?  This intermediate level class will focus on some of the bird identification conundrums that face the Texas birder. The class will focus on detailed identification of specific species.  Flycatchers, swallows, meadowlarks, thrushes, vireos, orioles, tanagers, and other birds found in Texas which present identification problems may be addressed. The class will also include exercises and non-identification lectures designed to improve your birding skills and knowledge.

Warning!!! This class is not for the casual or beginner birder!! It is designed for intermediate to advanced birders who want to further develop and sharpen their bird ID skills on specific species. Some of the identification discussions will be quite tedious and if the student is not ready – they may not enjoy the class. For example, we may address the dreaded Empidonax flycatchers……….. in detail……..for several hours………with exercises…..!!!! If that sounds like fun to you –you’re in the right place!! If on the other hand, you’d rather drag your fingernails across chalkboards, than listen to detailed lectures on those little gray jobs – we suggest you focus on other Travis Audubon Classes.

The class consists of 8 Sunday meetings February – May 2025 and September – December 2025 (once per month), four local field trips, and one out of town field trip. Classroom sessions will be held at the Center for Environmental Research at Hornby Bend (Hornsby Bend). Field trips will be held within a reasonable drive of Austin. Potential locations are listed below. The class and field trip schedules are listed below.

Class and Field Trip Schedule:

Instructors: Both Jeff Patterson and Eric Stager are life-long birders, veteran field trip leaders and experienced instructors having taught many classes for Travis Audubon, including the B3 class in 2020 and 2021 and the Shorebird Class since 2012.

Prerequisites: As mentioned above, a certain amount of birding experience is recommended prior to taking this class. Students should be able to identify from 75 to 100 Texas birds by sight or sound. Experience may have been gained through years of birding, other Travis Audubon Classes, and/or the Travis Audubon Master Birder’s Program. In order to register for this course, please:

Be a graduate of Travis Audubon’s Master Birder Program,

or

Be a Travis Audubon volunteer of at least 20 hours annually,

or

Receive pre-approval from the Travis Audubon office (based on your experience and prior knowledge).

If you do not meet one of these requirements, but are interested in the course, please contact annemarie@travisaudubon.org.

Repeat student note: Everyone is welcome to apply when the registration link opens on October 7th. However, we will reserve spots in the class for first-time attendees who meet the prerequisites until October 21st. After that date, any available spots will be assigned to repeat attendees, based on the order in which their applications were received. Thank you for your understanding!

To register for this course, please email annemarie@travisaudubon.org expressing your interest in the course and provide the prerequisite that qualifies you to register. If you are approved to take the course, you will receive a link to complete registration.

Payment for a class, workshop, or other fee-based event is due at the time of registration. If payment is not received within a week of registration, the registrant may be dropped from the roster. To withdraw from a class, workshop, or other fee-based event, please contact the Travis Audubon office: 512-300-BIRD (2473) or info@travisaudubon.org.

If a registrant withdraws from a class, workshop, or other fee-based event at least seven (7) days before the first session, Travis Audubon will offer a full refund less a $5.00 administrative fee that helps defray our costs. If the registrant withdraws less than seven (7) days before the first session, no refund will be made. If Travis Audubon cancels the class, workshop, or other fee-based event, we will fully refund the tuition.