Song Sparrow by Sally Stone, Audubon Photography Awards
Master Birder Program
Spring 2024 Master Birder Program
March 5 through April 15, 2024
Cost: $450 for current Birds Georgia Members / $500 for non-members (includes a one-year membership)
Birds Georgia is excited to offer our popular Master Birder Program again for Spring 2024. In addition to our Atlanta program, we are excited to offer the course in the Athens area, co-hosted by Oconee Rivers Audubon Society.
Orientation and class sessions will be held virtually via Zoom webinars. Invitations will be sent to the email address you provide at registration. Field trips will meet on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) and should conclude by 11:00 AM. Field trips are subject to change due to inclement weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances.
Course content includes classification and identification of birds, birding apps and equipment, bird songs and calls, anatomy and physiology, bird ecology, bird behavior, flight and migration, and bird conservation. Upon graduation, Master Birders are encouraged to complete annual volunteer service for Birds Georgia or their local Audubon chapter to receive added membership benefits such as early registration opportunities and discounted event fees.
Attendance in all classes and field trips is necessary to gain enough knowledge and experience to become a Master Birder. Anticipated conflicts can be discussed with individuals. After graduation, all Master Birders are available to each other and the Birds Georgia staff via a Master Birder listserv which keeps everyone informed of volunteer opportunities and programs and events especially for Master Birders. Master Birders are also invited to join the Master Birder Facebook page to stay in touch with fellow Master Birders.
If program fee or membership cost is a burden, please apply for our Birds Georgia Scholarship.
Please email Melanie Furr, Director of Education, if you have questions.
The course schedule for the spring class is as follows:
March 5 through April 15, 2024
Cost: $450 for current Birds Georgia Members / $500 for non-members (includes a one-year membership)
Birds Georgia is excited to offer our popular Master Birder Program again for Spring 2024. In addition to our Atlanta program, we are excited to offer the course in the Athens area, co-hosted by Oconee Rivers Audubon Society.
Orientation and class sessions will be held virtually via Zoom webinars. Invitations will be sent to the email address you provide at registration. Field trips will meet on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) and should conclude by 11:00 AM. Field trips are subject to change due to inclement weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances.
Course content includes classification and identification of birds, birding apps and equipment, bird songs and calls, anatomy and physiology, bird ecology, bird behavior, flight and migration, and bird conservation. Upon graduation, Master Birders are encouraged to complete annual volunteer service for Birds Georgia or their local Audubon chapter to receive added membership benefits such as early registration opportunities and discounted event fees.
Attendance in all classes and field trips is necessary to gain enough knowledge and experience to become a Master Birder. Anticipated conflicts can be discussed with individuals. After graduation, all Master Birders are available to each other and the Birds Georgia staff via a Master Birder listserv which keeps everyone informed of volunteer opportunities and programs and events especially for Master Birders. Master Birders are also invited to join the Master Birder Facebook page to stay in touch with fellow Master Birders.
If program fee or membership cost is a burden, please apply for our Birds Georgia Scholarship.
Please email Melanie Furr, Director of Education, if you have questions.
The course schedule for the spring class is as follows:
Date |
Event |
Tuesday, March 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM |
Orientation |
Thursday, March 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Identification and eBird |
Saturday, March 9, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to Cochran Shoals Cohort II: Field trip to McDaniel Farm Athens: Athens-Clarke County Landfill |
Tuesday, March 12, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Birding Techniques and Apps |
Thursday, March 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Songs & Calls, Part I |
Saturday, March 16, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field Trip to McDaniel Farm Cohort II: Field trip to Panola Banding Station Athens: State Botanical Garden of Georgia (bird banding) |
Tuesday, March 19, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Song & Calls, Part II |
Thursday, March 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Anatomy and Physiology |
Saturday, March 23, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort II: Field trip to Cochran Shoals Athens: Sandy Creek Nature Center |
Sunday, March 24, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to E.L. Huie Ponds |
Tuesday, March 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Ecology |
Thursday, March 28, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Conservation |
Saturday, March 30, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort II: Field trip to E.L. Huie ponds Athens: Lake Herrick |
Tuesday, April 2, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Migration |
,Thursday, April 4, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Behavior |
Saturday, April 6, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to Panola Banding Station |
Sunday, April 14, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM |
Graduation lunch Atlanta cohorts: Birds Georgia office at Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse Athens cohort: Walker Park |
Birds Georgia will also host a Master Birder Cohort in Athens. Active members of Oconee Rivers Audubon Society are eligible for an additional discount on registration. Please email Melissa Paduani, Education Program Manager, for more information and to receive the discount code.
Both Atlanta Master Birder Cohorts are now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. Spaces still remain in the Athens Cohort