Birder's Certificate Program

Take your birding skills to the next level! 

The Birder's Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs to the birdwatching community. 

In this 11-module program, you'll learn avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Course goals include:

• Developing an ornithological knowledge base
• Contributing to the conservation of native bird life 
• Empowering birders to contribute to the scientific studies
• Encouraging collaboration between recreational birders and professional ornithologists

The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course; students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement. 

Two Birder's Certificate Program options are offered: 

1. Complete Hybrid Program including online lectures and field sessions
2. Fully remote Online Lecture-Only Program

BCP Complete Hybrid Program

Members: $1,800 / Nonmembers: $2,100

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• 11 In-person monthly field trips
• Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments and a supported independent study project
• Certificate upon completion, as well as a branded BCP binocular harness

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

Field trips associated with each module will be carried out in Essex County on the Sunday morning following each lecture. Please note that dates are subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances.

2024-2025 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 17, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  
  • Field Trip: August 18, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: September 22, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: October 20, 8:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with David Moon
  • Online Lecture: November 16, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: November 17, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: December 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: December 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: January 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: January 19: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: February 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: February 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 22, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: March 23, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 26, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: April 27, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 17, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: May 18, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: June 8, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Join the Waitlist for the Hybrid Program

There are a limited number of openings per session. Fill out the waitlist form to be notified of openings and registration dates for future sessions.

BCP Online Program

Members: $750 / Nonmembers: $900

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• Student comprehension evaluated through homework assignments
• Certificate upon completion

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

2024-2025 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 17, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with David Moon
  • Online Lecture: November 16, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: December 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: January 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: February 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 22, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 26, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 17, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Register Today