Despite the cold, winter is an excellent time for birdwatching in Michigan. There are fewer kinds of birds to see and there aren’t any leaves for the birds to hide behind.
And on a relatively warm winter day, it’s a good way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.
If you’ve wanted to start birdwatching (often called birding), but weren’t sure how to get started, Audubon Great Lakes and Michigan State University are offering free online webinars you can attend from the comfort of your home.
First up is Winter Waterfowl ID Webinar Part II: Geese and Swans, a joint program from Audubon Great Lakes and Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
In the one-hour webinar, you’ll learn:
- How to identify geese and swans
- Where to find them
- The habitats they rely on to live and eat
- About conservations efforts
Presenters for the webinar are:
- John Coluccy, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Planning for Ducks Unlimited
- Kylie McElrath, Conservation Manager for Audubon Great Lakes
- Patrick Doran, Ph.D., Midwest Director of Strategy, Measures and Science for The Nature Conservancy
The webinar is January 30, 2025 from noon to 1:00PM Eastern Time, pre-registration is required.
The second webinar is actually a four-session virtual series. Michigan Birding 101 from Michigan State University Sea Grant.
Focused on brand new or beginning birders, you’ll learn:
- The basics of field identification
- Equipment
- Backyard feeders
- Bird conservation
The sessions will be held on Zoom on February 18, 20, 25, and 27, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm Eastern Time.
Here’s the schedule:
- February18: Introduction to Birding and Equipment
- February 20: Backyard Birding and Feeding
- February 25: Conserve the Birds: Birding Ethics and Backyard Habitats
- February 27: Birding in Michigan: Where to Go and What to See
Pre-registration is required; you only register once for all four sessions.
Summary
I love finding free online webinars about birding! While I’ve been birding for years, I’ve registered for the Winter Waterfowl and four-session Michigan Birding 101 webinars.
I know I’ll learn something new. Hope you consider joining me!
