Song Sparrow by Sally Stone, Audubon Photography Awards
Master Birder Program
Fall 2023 Master Birder Program
October 17 through December 2
Cost: $450 for current Georgia Audubon Members / $500 for non-members (includes a one-year membership)
Georgia Audubon is excited to offer our popular Master Birder Program again for Fall 2023. In addition to our Atlanta program, we are excited to offer the course in the Savannah area, co-hosted by Ogeechee and Hilton Head Audubon Societies.
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 Georgia Audubon 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 Georgia Audubon 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 Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
Please email Melanie Furr, Director of Education, if you have questions.
The course schedule for the fall class is as follows:
October 17 through December 2
Cost: $450 for current Georgia Audubon Members / $500 for non-members (includes a one-year membership)
Georgia Audubon is excited to offer our popular Master Birder Program again for Fall 2023. In addition to our Atlanta program, we are excited to offer the course in the Savannah area, co-hosted by Ogeechee and Hilton Head Audubon Societies.
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 Georgia Audubon 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 Georgia Audubon 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 Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
Please email Melanie Furr, Director of Education, if you have questions.
The course schedule for the fall class is as follows:
Date |
Event |
Tuesday, October 17, at 8:30 PM |
Orientation |
Thursday, October 19, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Identification and eBird |
Saturday, October 21, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to EL Huie Ponds Cohort II: Field trip to Dawson Forest Coastal Cohort: Savannah NWR, Kingfisher Pond |
Tuesday, October 24, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Birding Techniques and Apps |
Thursday, October 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Songs & Calls, Part I |
Saturday, October 28, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field Trip to Dawson Forest Cohort II: Field trip to EL Huie Ponds Coastal Cohort: Savannah NWR, Wildlife Drive |
Tuesday, October 31, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Song & Calls, Part II |
Thursday, November 2, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Anatomy and Physiology |
Saturday, November 4, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to Cochran Shoals Coastal Cohort: Field trip to Fort Stewart (6:45 AM) |
Sunday, November 5, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort II: Field trip to Panola Banding Station |
Tuesday, November 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Migration |
Thursday, November 9, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Behavior |
Saturday, November 11, at 8:00 AM |
Cohort I: Field trip to Panola Banding Station Cohort II: Field trip to Cochran Shoals Coastal Cohort: Pinckney Island NWR |
Tuesday, November 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Ecology |
,Thursday, November 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Bird Conservation |
Saturday, December 2, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM |
Graduation lunch Atlanta cohorts: Georgia Audubon office at Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse Coastal Cohort: Savannah NWR (tentative) |
Registration for Cohort I is now full. Please register for Cohort II if you would like to participate in the fall 2023 event.
3 spots remain in the Savannah/HHI Cohort
