The first part of this workshop/field trip program is an introduction to the fascinating world of butterflies. You may learn more about butterflies during this seminar than you may learn in the field, since Nancy’s pictures will highlight many details not easily spotted on the wing. Participation in the seminar will convey a priority for attending the field trip that follows, which is limited to 12 participants.

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This is an introduction to the avian life on Galveston Island throughout the year. It is designed for everyone, especially guests who are visiting from far away and for whom Upper Texas and Galveston are new territory.

This workshop will help those new or fairly new to the great pastime of birding feel more comfortable with their knowledge, and more confident about birding alone or with others. The presentation will discuss what birds and feathers are, what types of birds we see today, and how to categorize and recognize them even without binoculars. You will also learn how to use binoculars and spotting scopes, and which types are best for you.

What do the experts consider when they see a bird in the field? Come to this exciting ID forum and observe some of the top North American birders in action as they identify birds while sharing the thought process involved. Bird photos selected by birder/photographer Kevin Karlson will be shown both to the audience and expert panel in groups of four images of increasing difficulty for a particular bird family. Panel members will then try to identify the bird and explain what ID points led to their conclusion. The audience will have a minute or two to think about the birds before hearing the experts’ opinions. It will be interesting to hear personal ID criteria for each panel expert and see how they reach the same, or different, conclusions using various field ID marks and impressions.

This ID forum is the brain child of David Yee and the Central Valley Bird Symposium in California, and one of the highlights of their festival each year. It is not meant to test or put the panel members on the spot, but to give festival participants a chance to compare their own ID thought process to those of the “experts.” While everyone takes their ID skills seriously, this forum is light-hearted in its intent, with a fun time had by all. Occasional disagreements allow the audience to see how ID dilemmas are sometimes resolved by a forum. This is a very popular event, so be sure to sign up early. The last 15 minutes will be dedicated to questions and socializing with the experts.

Representatives of optics companies will demonstrate and give tips about Digiscoping, which is combining cameras with spotting scopes for longer distance photography. They also will provide general information about advances in optics.

Easy Birding Songbirds is designed for early stage birders who want to quickly learn about birding and experience the fun of FeatherFest on a budget. You may choose to ONLY attend the inside workshop, but you MUST attend the inside workshop if you wish to sign up for the field trip.

For those who have moved ahead of the written word and use I-PODs and PDAs – and for those who wish they have – this workshop will demonstrate how to take birding high tech! Bird song identification in the field took a big step forward when bird songs and photos became easily accessible on the Apple I-Pod. If you don’t have an I-Pod, or just don’t have the birding software, come learn what this easy-to-use yet innovative bird ID tool is all about. Palm pilots and other personal data devices also make it easy to carry around loads of birding information. Find out what’s available at this session.

Note: Adam is not a vendor and does not bring loaded I-Pods for sale. He will bring a demonstration unit so people can see it in action. Trip leaders Bill Thompson, Bill Schmolker, Jeff Bouton, and Jeff Gordon and others use I-Pods...so join the pros!!

Glen has been involved with the Native Plant Society of Texas for 15 years and has served as State Board President as well as Houston Chapter President. He co-founded the “Wildscapes Workshop: Landscaping to Attract Wildlife.” Glen is also an excellent birder and is teaching an “Introduction to Birding” class at Rice University, Continuing Education Department.

Glenn Olsen has developed this workshop for those who are already “birders” but who wish to advance their ID skills. Glen is an excellent birder and is teaching an “Introduction to Birding” class at Rice University, Continuing Education Department.

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