Thursday, April 24, 2014

BOWCA to Present Birding Workshop

Do you think all the really good birds can only be seen way out in some remote wilderness area? Well think again. Because of its variety of habitats Southern California provides amazing birding opportunities. (Did you know that Los Angeles County has a history of being the "birdiest" county in the U.S.?) This class will provide an opportunity to learn the basics of birding. Get out and have fun birding in the field and become a better birder. Binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides will be provided but you are encouraged to bring your own.

Class will begin with dinner Friday evening at 6 pm followed by a 2 hour presentation to discuss the basic tools of the trade (optics and field guides) and bird identification by size and shape, color and pattern, behavior, habitat and song. Saturday and Sunday we will be in the field (carpooling) and you will need to pack your picnic lunch. To maximize our best viewing we will select from coastal and inland wetlands, parks and preserves looking for spring migrants as well as resident birds.

Sunday morning we will have reservations for a private guided three-mile walking tour of the Prado Wetlands with an environmental expert from the Orange County Water District! The district owns 2,150 acres behind Prado Dam including 465 acres of the largest constructed wetlands in Southern California providing ideal habitat for herons, egrets, shore birds, raptors, warblers, and seasonally, Golden Eagles and the endangered Least Bell's Vireo. Don't miss this rare opportunity. The workshop will conclude after lunch on Sunday. The class will be instructed by Pam Kling and Tina Stoner. Pam Kling, is Secretary of the Pomona Valley Chapter of the National Audubon Society and has been leading birding trips both in California and out-of-state for many years. She will be assisted by BOW's own Tina Stoner, who teaches the Introduction to Birding class at our Multi-course Workshop.

We will be camping at Prado Regional Park conveniently located near the four corners intersection of San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Our sites can accommodate everything from tents to RVs with full hookups. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground showers are included. BOW will provide dinner Friday night, so all you have to do is set up camp. You are responsible for your food other than Friday night. We will pot luck and share our dinners on Saturday night. Water will be provided; please bring a bottle/canteen for the field trips. Prado Regional Park itself is a birding destination with its 60 acre lake attracting numerous species. To get member price, become a BOWCA member today!

Register at http://www.bowca.org/event/birding-may-16-18
Non-Member: $275
Member: $247.50
Limit: 20 people

Your registration will be confirmed by email. Approximately two weeks prior to the workshop you will receive, by email, information about what to bring and directions to Prado Regional Park. If you have any questions, please call Susan at 530-347-0227.

New Workshop - Birding
Contact: Susan Herrgesell, 530-347-0227 or susan@bowca.org
www.bowca.org