Eastside Audubon Society is proud to offer 2 exciting classes at this time!

Beginner and Intermediate Birding is a great way to learn about birding basics if you’re interested in getting more into birds, or intermediate techniques to spot the most amount of birds!

Beginning Shorebirds covers identification techniques and help you become more comfortable with shorebird birding.

Learn more about both of these classes below!

Beginner and Intermediate Birding Classes

Kevin O’Malley, a naturalist and birder, will teach birding basics to beginner and intermediate birders starting in March.

Kevin O’Malley, naturalist and birder

Kevin has led education walks since 2004 and heads the South Sound Nature School. He will be assisted by Barbara Petersen, an avid birder who regularly leads field trips for the Rainier Audubon Society.

The classes will be held at two key birding areas within the Eastside Audubon’s area – Marymoor Park and Lake Sammamish State Park. The fees will be $35 per person. The event at Sammamish State Park will be part of the annual Birdathon fundraiser and participants are encouraged to donate extra to help EAS continue birding classes. 

No birding experience is necessary. Binoculars are recommended but not required. Classes will be limited to about 10 people. They will be geared towards adults but families are welcome. Children under 12 years are free but must be accompanied by an adult.  

  • Sunday, March 16th, 8 a.m., at  Marymoor Park 

  • Saturday, April 26th, 8 a.m., at Marymoor Park

  • Saturday, May 17th, 8 a.m., at Lake Sammamish State Park 

Registration is required and closes three days before the class. Sorry, no refunds will be available.

To register, click the date below you’d like to attend and follow the link!

About Marymoor Park

Marymoor Park, in Redmond, is a premier destination for birdwatchers. With diverse habitats—wetlands, fields, and woods—it attracts over 200 bird species year-round. Birders can spot raptors like bald eagles and hawks, as well as songbirds and waterfowl. The park's trails and viewing areas make it accessible for all enthusiasts. Seasonal migrations offer unique chances to observe rare and transient species.

About Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, Washington, is a haven for birdwatchers. The park's mix of wetlands, forests, and shoreline attracts a diverse array of bird species year-round. Visitors can spot waterfowl like herons and ducks, raptors such as eagles and owls, and a variety of songbirds. Well-maintained trails and observation points make it accessible for both novice and seasoned birders, offering ample opportunities for wildlife photography and peaceful nature observation.

About the Instructors

Kevin O’Malley grew up exploring Lake Erie’s lands and waters, which inspired his decision to pursue a degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Toledo. He became a Naturalist-in-Residence for Juneau schools, and he expanded his skills through the Wilderness Awareness School ‘s (WAS) nine-month Immersion Program and Kamana Four Certification. Kevin has worked as a freelance naturalist, served as In-School Programs Specialist at Seward Park Audubon and taught in the WAS Adult Tracking Intensive Program. A Cybertracker Level 3 Wildlife Tracker, he coordinates the Ellensburg Tracking Club and leads South Sound Nature School, teaching birding field classes statewide and serving as Education Chair of Juneau Audubon for three years.

Barbara Petersen is a retired teacher who taught for thirty years in Highline School District's Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, where she enjoyed working with students from preschool through high school as well as their parents. She helps with a monthly bird census for the City of Kent at the Green River Natural Resources Area and has birded across the U.S., as well as many other South American and African countries, including the Peruvian Amazon, Costa Rica, Botswana, and Brazil.

Beginning Shorebirds Class

Shorebirds are not popular with beginning birders because they're so similar, so variable, and such a challenge.  Shorebirds are popular with experts for the exact same reasons!  So don't be intimidated by this fascinating, and frankly cute, group of birds that grace our shores (and other habitats) for brief periods of the year. 

In this three-part class for Beginning Shorebirds, we'll focus on identification, but moreso, teach you tricks that we'll make tackling shorebirds much less intimidating.  A field trip to the coast during shorebird migration will help solidify what we learn in class.  Move from beginner to expert so you can get excited about shorebird season! 

DATES

Virtual Class on Zoom
Thursdays: April 17th, April 24th, and May 1
7:00 PM - 8:30pm

Optional Field Trip
Sunday April 27th
6:30 AM - 6:00 PM

REQUIREMENTS

Participants will need a good internet connection and either a computer or tablet with a speaker and microphone. All lectures will be done using Zoom video conferencing software, which is free to download, and we will use all the protocols for security. Students will receive information with the Zoom meeting  invite a day or two before each class.

FIELD TRIP

We'll travel to the coast, seeking different habitats to find different shorebirds.  Our main event will be Bottle Beach as the tide comes in, but we'll also visit marinas, rocky dikes, and other locations from Bottle Beach to Tokeland.  There will be an announcement a couple of days before the trip outlining details, particularly forecast, but plan to bring a lunch and be out for most of the day.  We'll meet at the Wilburton Park and Ride off I-405, exit 12.  

REGISTRATION AND FEES

Class fee for the 3 virtual sessions is $75.00. The field trip is optional and an extra fee of $50.00.

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to attend both virtual sessions and field trip, you will need to separately register for each at the links below.

COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the starting date of the course will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7-13 days will incur a 20% fee. Cancellations made within 3-6 days will incur a 30% fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours to the start of the course are nonrefundable.

If you are unable to attend this course, you may transfer your registration to a friend. To cancel or transfer your registration to a friend, send an email to office@eastsideaudubon.org with the course name in the subject line.

About the Instructor:

David Droppers has been teaching courses on topics from birds to butterflies to trees to microorganisms for a variety of groups, including college biology courses and non-profit environmental groups. He has put his expertise to work for the National Park Service, Forest Service, University of Washington, and Woodland Park Zoo, among many others.  He is ecstatic about sharing his passion for the natural world with others who wish to learn. His enthusiasm is said to be contagious!