Colorful graphic with icons of birds and mammals, a bigger graphic of a wood thrush and words that say Let your adventures begin...Become a Mass Audubon member. Join today.
Colorful graphic with icons of birds and mammals, a bigger graphic of a wood thrush and words that say Let your adventures begin...Become a Mass Audubon member. Join today.
Saturday, October 24

Demystifying Sparrows: A Field Identification Workshop

Description

Sparrows are the ultimate test of any birder's patience, and the reward is knowing what you're actually looking at. This workshop takes on one of the most notoriously tricky bird groups: the New World sparrows, a family in which dozens of species share similar size, habitat, and general appearance.

Traveling by van and carpool to prime sparrow habitat across the Newburyport area, your guide will walk you through the key field marks that separate species, building a reliable identification approach you can use all season. All experience levels are welcome, and this program is well-suited for birders who want to sharpen their field identification skills.

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Song Sparrow © brendan doyle
When
  • Sat, Oct 24, 2026 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Who

Adults

Cost
  • Adult Members $38
  • Adult Nonmembers $45

Instructors

  • Dave Williams - Birder Naturalist

Instructions

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. From there, travel by Mass Audubon van and carpool. Bring binoculars, a field guide to birds, and a spotting scope if you have one. Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather and terrain. Expect to walk trails with moderate terrain changes at a slow pace, for a mile or more.