Birder's Certificate Program - Online and in the Field

Take your birding skills to a new 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. The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course.

Eleven monthly lectures and field sessions cover a wide range of subject matter, including avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments for each module. A twelfth module involves a volunteer service-learning project. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement and a BCP binocular harness.

Course Goals:

• Develop the ornithological knowledge base of birders
• Demonstrate ways birders can contribute to the scientific study of birds
• Encourage closer collaboration between birders and professional ornithologists
• Develop a cadre of skilled program volunteers
• Provide professional development opportunities for Mass Audubon staff
• Contribute to the conservation of birds and to the protection of the nature of Massachusetts

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

SCHEDULE:

August 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Systematics and Nomenclature with Bill Gette

August 20, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

September 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Evolution and Speciation with Martha Gach

September 10, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

October 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Field Identification with Wayne Petersen

October 22, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

November 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Anatomy and Physiology with David Moon

November 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

December 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Feathers and Flight with Scott Santino

December 10, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

January 20, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Feeding Ecology with Erica Holm

January 21: 9:00 am-1:00 pm/ Field Session

February 11, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Bird Conservation with TBD

February 12, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

March 23, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Migration with Bill Gette

March 24, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

April 13, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen

April 14, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

May 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen

May 19, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

June 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Field Ornithology with Sarah Courchesne

June 9, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

Cancellation policy: A nonrefundable nontransferable $100 deposit due at time of registration. Balance due in full prior to first class August 19, 2023. Students have up to three years to complete course work. Refunds will not be made during the class year.

For more information, please go to www.massaudubon.org/birderscertificate

Instructions and Directions:

Meeting Place: