23/01/2020 Wetland Birds Ecology & ID 1 Day

Merstham, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2WWhTTF

Learn to identify the wetland birds of Surrey before going in search of them on a private reserve.

Cost £35.00

28/01/2020 Winter Wildfowl Identification 0.5 Day

Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow, Scottish Ornithologists' Club guidedwalks@the-soc.org.uk www.the-soc.org.uk/support-us/events/events/winter-wildfowl-hogganfield-loch-glasgow-29-jan

Join Bird ID Skills trainer, Scott Paterson, on a guided walk around this picturesque loch, focussing on wintering wildfowl and woodland species

Cost £15.00 (£12 SOC members)

08/02/2020 Wintering birds of Gowy Meadows 1 Day

Gowy Meadows, Thornton-le-Moors , Cheshire Wildlife Trust 01948 820728 info@cheshirewt.org.uk www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2020-02-08-wintering-birds-gowy-meadows

Join local recorder Steve Holmes on a guided walk around Gowy Meadows, focussing on the wintering birds

Cost £10.00

14/02/2020 Winter Birdwatching Weekend 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/winter-birdwatching-weekend/

Wildfowl, shorebirds and other winter visitors such as thrushes, finches and buntings will be the main focus of interest on this late winter birdwatching weekend and there is always the possibility of scarcer visitors from the north and east if the weather has been particularly hard in previous weeks. The best local sites include the Stour and Orwell estuaries, Alton Water and Abberton reservoirs, which between them hold thousands of overwintering birds.

Cost £270.00

16/02/2020 Winter Bird Identification for Beginners 1 Day

Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust 0115 972 1777 enquiries@attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/events

This day course focuses on the wildfowl, waders and other winter visitors at Attenborough Nature Reserve. 10am-3pm.

Cost £35

28/02/2020 Discover Winter Birds 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/discover-winter-birds/

Flatford is blessed with some amazing wintering bird sites that are only a short distance from the centre. The nearby Stour and Orwell Estuaries hold populations of wintering waders and wildfowl of international importance and Alton Water is a freshwater reservoir that hosts a diversity of ducks and geese. The course provides opportunities to view a range of wintering birds at close quarters, which should improve your identification skills.

Cost £270.00

13/03/2020 Recognising Birds by Sight and Sound: Especially for Improvers 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/recognising-birds-by-sight-and-sound-especially-for-improvers/

This course is for anyone who feels fairly confident that they know their garden and woodland birds, and would like more experience of less frequently encountered species. You will improve your fieldcraft and spend time listening to, and learning, bird sounds in the field to help you memorise their elusive sound patterns! We will visit different habitats including Breckland, Heathland and Reedbeds to try to track down species such as Woodlark, Stone Curlew, Dartford Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Bearded Tit.

Cost £270.00

20/03/2020 Scottish Island Birds: Spring Migrants 3 Days

FSC Millport, Field Studies Council 01475 531420 enquiries.mil@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/scottish-island-birds-spring-migrants/

The spectacular glacial landscape of the Clyde Sea provides a surprising range of habitats in a small area. From the Isle of Cumbrae, upland, coastal, and pelagic bird species are all within easy reach. In winter, the sheltered Clyde is a haven for wildfowl and a vital staging point for waders. This weekend course is a unique opportunity to get to grips with our waders and sea ducks, passage migrants, and west coast specialities.

Cost £300.00

27/03/2020 Birdwatching for Absolute Beginners 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birdwatching-for-absolute-beginners/

This course is designed for absolute beginners to birdwatching, and will teach the basics of bird identification. This will include birds commonly seen in gardens and also the ducks and waders on the local estuary. Basic fieldcraft skills will be used to help identify birds from their behaviour, location, song and calls.

Cost £270.00

03/04/2020 Woodland Birds 1 Day

Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/33LZwmP

Enjoy an early morning walk listening to the local birdsong before learning more about woodland birds in the classroom.

Cost £35.00

06/04/2020 Early Spring Birds 5 Days

FSC Dale Fort, Field Studies Council 01646 636205 enquiries.df@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/early-spring-birds/

The aim of the course is to build confidence in bird identification, in an easy going and digestible way, starting with resident and common migrants. The focus will be on watching and identifying birds 'in the field', getting to grips with birds typical of the West Wales coast, and hopefully through this finding and identifying scarcer migrants and possibly something even rarer.

Cost £455.00

06/04/2020 Bird Identification 1 Day

Farnham, Surrey, Ecology Training UK 07818073660 ecologytraininguk@gmail.com www.ecologytraining.co.uk

Course covers identification tips, using keys and guides and includes a field visit.

Cost £120.00

07/04/2020 Bird Surveying Techniques 1 Day

Farnham, Surrey, Ecology Training UK 07818073660 ecologytraininguk@gmail.com www.ecologytraining.co.uk

Course covers bird survey techniques, data collection and presentation and a field visit.

Cost £120.00

17/04/2020 Birds of the North Wales Coast, Woodlands and Uplands 3 Days

FSC Rhyd-y-creuau, Field Studies Council 01690 710494 enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birds-of-the-north-wales-coast-woodlands-and-uplands/

With the breeding season well underway, this is an ideal long weekend for birdwatching in the dramatic landscapes of North Wales. We will explore the coastal cliffs and estuaries, visiting seabird colonies on Anglesey and the RSPB Reserve at Conwy, walk through glaciated valleys for open country and woodland birds and take in higher ground for upland and moorland specialities.

Cost £370.00

18/04/2020 Woodland Birds of Epping Forest 1 Day

FSC Epping Forest, Field Studies Council 020 8502 8500 enquiries.ef@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/woodland-birds-of-epping-forest/

Get to grips with woodland birds identification and learn how to watch them successfully on a relaxed late spring walk around Epping Forest. Our day will incorporate bird identification, bird vocalisations and bird behaviour as we explore this beautiful location. Course fee includes FSC fold out chart: Top 50 Garden Birds.

Cost £40.00

18/04/2020 Birdwatching in Bushy Park 1 Day

Bushy Park, London, Field Studies Council 01306 734501 enquiries.ldn@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birdwatching-in-bushy-park/

Bushy Park is a great location to spot resident and migrant birds. Spend the day in the Park observing and identifying birds and learning how to watch birds successfully. We will visit the open parkland, the woodland and the Brewhouse fields, not usually accessible to the public. Course fee includes FSC fold out chart: Top 50 Garden Birds. Based in Bushy Park.

Cost £35.00

24/04/2020 Wildlife Tracking 4 Days

Glenmore Lodge, Field Studies Council 01743 852100 enquiries@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/wildlife-tracking/

This tracks and signs workshops is designed to both introduce a prospective new tracker to the general concepts involved in interpreting tracks and signs and add to the knowledge of the more experienced naturalist. Although we can't import wildlife to the area and therefore give a definitive list of the signs we will find, anything that makes a track on the ground is fair game for our attention.

Cost £415.00

24/04/2020 Birds in the Shropshire Springtime 3 Days

FSC Preston Montford, Field Studies Council 01743 852040 enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birds-in-the-shropshire-springtime/

Shropshire in springtime is a delightful place in which to develop your bird identification skills. This course will visit a variety of different habitats within the county, such as farmland, heathland, wetland and woodland, which should enable a wide range of species to be encountered and give an indication of where to find different birds. The course is aimed at anyone who watches birds, but would like to improve their identification skills by sight and sound.

Cost £300.00

24/04/2020 Spring Birdwatching 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/spring-birdwatching/

Visiting a range of locations around Suffolk and Essex, as well making use of sites around FSC Flatford Mill, participants will explore woods, heathlands or marshes as the group make best use of local weather conditions to watch and discover more about the local birdlife. The emphasis will be on helping everyone feel more confident about identifying birds and understanding behaviour.

Cost £270.00

24/04/2020 Bird Identification: An introduction 3 Days

Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/bird-identification-an-introduction/

Spend three days in beautiful surroundings learning how to identify a wide range of different birds, from warblers to waders and everything in between. Your expert guide will help you see and hear the subtle differences between species, and you?ll explore a range of habitats, including woodland, grassland and wetlands.

Cost £120

25/04/2020 Bird Ringing Day 1 Day

Preston Montford Field Centre, Shrewsbury, Growing Confidence Project 01743852040 j.duffell@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/opportunities-for-16-25-year-olds/growing-confidence/

Whixall Moss, Shropshire. Free event for ages 15-25.  Why do we ring birds? The Shropshire Ringing Group will show you some exciting birds in the hand, many fresh from their migration north from Africa.

28/04/2020 Identifying Birds by Sight and Sound 2 Days

The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org

Whether you're new to birding or have some previous experience, join DWT’s Hamish Murray on a birding exploration around Powerstock Common and Kingcombe Meadows nature reserves.

Cost £190.00

01/05/2020 Songbird Identification 4 Days

FSC Preston Montford, Field Studies Council 01743 852040 enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/songbird-identification/

This three-day bird identification course is held in late spring to ensure that there will be plenty of birds whilst the comparative lack of leaves will, hopefully, mean that those which are heard can also be seen. The course is aimed at anyone who watches birds, but would like to improve their identification skills by sight and sound, using field notes and sketches as an important aid to observation. *MMU

Cost £400.00

01/05/2020 Spring Birds in Pembrokeshire 5 Days

FSC Orielton, Field Studies Council 01646 623920 enquiries.or@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/spring-birds-in-pembrokeshire/

May is an important month for both resident and migratory species. You will visit coastal, woodland and wetland habitats, learning to identify birds by sight and sound and examining their general ecology. The fee includes a visit to Skomer Island with its internationally important seabird colonies. On the last morning there may be an opportunity to visit the world famous gannetry on Grassholm (boat fees for Grassholm are not included), please contact us for details.

Cost £465.00

01/05/2020 Introduction to Bird Survey Techniques 1 Day

Exeter , Richard Green Ecology Ltd 01395 239234 office@richardgreenecology.co.uk www.richardgreenecology.co.uk

This classroom-based course covers when a bird survey may be required and provides an introduction to key skills, experience and knowledge necessary for undertaking a range of professional bird surveys in the UK.

06/05/2020 Bird Surveying Techniques 1 Day

Nr Exeter, Devon, Ecology Training UK 07818073660 ecologytraininguk@gmail.com www.ecologytraining.co.uk

Course covers bird survey techniques, data collection and presentation and a field visit.

Cost £120.00

15/05/2020 An Introduction to Bird Watching 3 Days

FSC Rhyd-y-creuau, Field Studies Council 01690 710494 enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/an-introduction-to-bird-watching/

The aim of this course is to identify many of the more common breeding birds of North Wales by sight and sound. This will be a relaxing course, suitable for beginners. We will walk in some of the lovely places in the beautiful Conwy Valley. There will be a short introduction to the course in the classroom on the first evening and an opportunity to get out early in the morning to sample the dawn chorus in nearby woodland habitat.

Cost £350.00

15/05/2020 Bird Survey Techniques 4 Days

FSC Preston Montford, Field Studies Council 01743 852040 enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/bird-survey-techniques/

Birds survey techniques are vital as birds are often seen as a good measure of the 'health' of the environment and the data produced from sound, long term, surveys are essential to measure population trends. This is a course for the keen amateur ornithologist or wildlife professional who would like to learn some basic bird survey techniques. Early summer in the Welsh Borderlands provides a good range of habitats for birds and there will be the opportunity to practice both woodland and farmland surveys, including habitat assessment, in the countryside around FSC Preston Montford. *MMU

Cost £510.00

15/05/2020 Bird Songs and Calls 3 Days

FSC Malham Tarn, Field Studies Council 01729 830331 enquiries.mt@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/bird-songs-and-calls/

Learn a variety of ways to accurately identify birds with an emphasis on recognising songs and other types of call. We will also cover some visual ID and you will learn to interpret bird behaviour and calls as an effective way to discover what other wildlife is around.

Cost £260.00

16/05/2020 Introduction to Birds 1 Day

FSC Amersham, Field Studies Council 01494 721054 enquiries.am@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/introduction-to-birds/

An introduction to identifying common (and occasionally less common) birds using sight and sound. No prior experience is necessary, just an enthusiasm to get out and have a go. Course fee includes FSC fold out chart: Top 50 Garden Birds.

Cost £45.00

22/05/2020 Birds for Beginners 3 Days

FSC Juniper Hall, Field Studies Council 01306 734501 enquiries.jh@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birds-for-beginners/

An introduction to identifying common (and occasionally less common) birds using sight and sound. This course will visit a wide range of habitats in the Surrey Hills to develop your confidence and practise your new found skills. This is a course for beginners so no prior experience is necessary just an enthusiasm to get out and have a go.

Cost £250.00

22/05/2020 Whitsun Birds 5 Days

FSC Dale Fort, Field Studies Council 01646 636205 enquiries.df@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/whitsun-birds/

The aim of the course is to build confidence in bird identification, in an easy going and digestible way, starting with resident and common migrants. The focus will be on watching and identifying birds 'in the field', getting to grips with birds typical of the West Wales coast, and hopefully through this finding and identifying scarcer migrants and possibly something even rarer.

Cost £455.00

19/06/2020 Identifying and Monitoring Birds of Prey 4 Days

FSC Malham Tarn, Field Studies Council 01729 830331 enquiries.mt@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/identifying-and-monitoring-birds-of-prey/

Learning how to identify the different bird of prey species and their behaviour can help us gain a greater understanding of how these birds live and how we can live alongside them. This course is aimed at those with limited or no experience of observing birds of prey in the wild and will introduce you to the different British birds of prey, their ecology and behaviours as well as various ways of monitoring them.

Cost £375.00

10/07/2020 Wildlife Tracking 3 Days

FSC Malham Tarn, Field Studies Council 01729 830331 enquiries.mt@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/wildlife-tracking-2/

A detailed look at tracks and signs left by a range of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates, including instruction on using camera traps. Tracking develops our ability to observe subtle details and connect them to landscape-scale patterns. You will build confidence in sign recognition and interpretation while learning practical applications of tracking for conservation and education as well as simple enjoyment of the natural world.

Cost £454.00

17/07/2020 Bird Identification in Pembrokeshire 5 Days

FSC Orielton, Field Studies Council 01646 623920 enquiries.or@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/bird-identification-in-pembrokeshire/

Enjoy watching a range of migrant and resident birds including local specialities such as Chough. This will involve some gentle walks as well as visits to beaches, estuaries, coastal cliffs and headlands. Weather permitting we will visit Skomer Island; boat and landing fees included. This course is for anyone who watches birds but would like to improve their identification skills - whatever your skill level you will learn something new.

Cost £465.00

22/07/2020 Summer Birds and Pembrokeshire Islands 5 Days

FSC Dale Fort, Field Studies Council 01646 636205 enquiries.df@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/summer-birds-and-pembrokeshire-islands/

The aim of the course is to build confidence in bird identification, in an easy going and digestible way, starting with resident and common migrants. The focus will be on watching and identifying birds 'in the field', getting to grips with birds typical of the West Wales coast, and hopefully through this finding and identifying scarcer migrants and possibly something even rarer.

Cost £455.00

24/07/2020 Scottish Island Birds: Summer Seabirds 3 Days

FSC Millport, Field Studies Council 01475 531420 enquiries.mil@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/scottish-island-birds-summer-seabirds/

The spectacular glacial landscape of the Clyde Sea provides a surprising range of habitats in a small area. From the Isle of Cumbrae upland, coastal, wetland and pelagic bird species are all within easy reach. In the late summer months, the marine environment is alive with seabirds that can be seen from the shore and from our research vessel, Actinia. Feeding frenzies of gannets, shearwaters and auks provide spectacular bird-watching opportunities in addition to some of our coastal and inland highlights and the occasional marine mammal!

Cost £300.00

03/08/2020 Birds of South Devon 5 Days

FSC Slapton Ley, Field Studies Council 01548 580466 enquiries.sl@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/birds-of-south-devon/

The course provides an opportunity to develop your knowledge and experience of birds within this classic English landscape. Centred around the coast, we'll also discover areas of freshwater, farmland and wooded sites to explore the birdlife around us, but also take stock of the diverse native flora and fauna, which are such an integral part of each habitat.

Cost £515.00

28/08/2020 Wildlife Tracking 4 Days

FSC Slapton Ley, Field Studies Council 01548 580466 enquiries.sl@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/wildlife-tracking-3/

A detailed look at tracks and signs left by a range of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Tracking develops our ability to observe subtle details and connect them to landscape-scale patterns. You will build confidence in sign recognition and interpretation while learning practical applications of tracking for conservation and education as well as simple enjoyment of the natural world.

Cost £350.00

11/09/2020 BTO Bird Identification 3 Days

FSC Rhyd-y-creuau, Field Studies Council and BTO 01690 710494 enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/bto-birds-of-north-wales-date-tbc/

Content from BTO

Cost £370.00

11/09/2020 Autumn Birdwatching Weekend 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/autumn-birdwatching-weekend/

In the autumn there are often large numbers of winter visitors moving from northern latitudes through East Anglia. Wildfowl and waders are moulting and becoming easier to recognise and there is always a chance of exotic species from Siberia to quicken the pulse! Field excursions during the day to some of the best birdwatching sites in Suffolk and Essex will help improve your identification of migrant and resident birds and these will be complemented by slideshows and other activities in the evenings.

Cost £270.00

20/10/2020 Winter Migrant Birds 5 Days

FSC Dale Fort, Field Studies Council 01646 636205 enquiries.df@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/winter-migrant-birds/

The aim of the course is to build confidence in bird identification, in an easy going and digestible way, starting with resident and common migrants. The focus will be on watching and identifying birds 'in the field', getting to grips with birds typical of the West Wales coast, and hopefully through this finding and identifying scarcer migrants and possibly something even rarer.

Cost £455.00

23/10/2020 Autumn Bird Watching 3 Days

FSC Margam, Field Studies Council 01639 895636 enquiries.mp@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/autumn-bird-watching/

We will spend most of our time outdoors exploring a variety of habitats, which no doubt will be a mixture of brief encounters and longer views that will enable us to study birds behaving naturally feeding, flocking, even evading any predators (fingers crossed) and other behaviours. We will observe birds stealthily and focus on aspects of field craft e.g. how to best scan for birds across large open expanses and how not to disturb them.

Cost £289.00

26/10/2020 Siberian Week: Looking at Bird Migration Along the Suffolk Coast 5 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/siberian-week-looking-at-bird-migration-along-the-suffolk-coast/

This course is designed to help you to find out more about bird identification and bird migration and the species likely to be encountered during migration periods. It is aimed equally at anyone who is a newcomer to birdwatching and those who wish to improve their skills in wild bird identification. It will also emphasise the adaptations of birds to their preferred habitats and lifestyles.

Cost £480.00

30/10/2020 Mainly Migrants 3 Days

FSC Flatford Mill, Field Studies Council 01206 297110 enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/mainly-migrants/

This course is designed to help you find out more about bird identification and bird migration, along with the species likely to be encountered during migration periods. We will explore migration marking techniques including: ringing, colour marking and radio and satellite tracking. Weather permitting, we will organise bird ringing demonstrations at the Flatford ringing site.

Cost £270.00