Wings & Wonders - Bird Watching & Study

You'll learn how to identify birds by their colours, patterns, songs, and even their unique "personality" - what birdwatchers call their "jizz."

We'll share the best field guides, apps, and equipment to get you started, so you'll feel confident heading out on your first birdwatching adventures.

Together, we'll explore the amazing diversity of bird life - from tiny fairy-wrens to soaring eagles - and discover how different species have adapted to their unique lifestyles. You'll be amazed by the complex ways birds communicate through their songs and calls, and how they navigate incredible migration journeys.

We'll also discuss why birds matter so much to our environment and what we can do to help protect them. Plus, you'll get practical tips for creating a bird-friendly garden that will bring these beautiful creatures right to your doorstep.

By the end of our time together, you'll know exactly how to take your newfound passion further - whether that's joining bird organisations, contributing to important bird surveys, or simply enjoying peaceful moments watching birds in your own backyard.

Come ready to be inspired by the incredible world that's been flying overhead all along!

Please bring the following on your first day of class:

• Notebook

• Binoculars (limited number of loan binoculars are available)

• Telescope if you have one (not essential)

• Any bird identification guide book that you own

No experience required.

NOTE: THIS IS A PLAN ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

On day one in the classroom, your tutor will assist with the carpool plan for the week. Please note that this course involves an early start at 7.30am on 2-3 days.

DAY ONE

• An introduction to birdwatching.

• The books, apps and equipment needed.

• Use of binoculars and telescopes.

• How are birds classified? Bird families, including examples the students are familiar with.

• The importance of birds in the environment.

• Bird identification by plumage and calls.

• The importance of 'jizz'.

• Bird lifestyles - food, communication (especially song), movements (sedentary, nomadic or migratory) and reproduction.

DAY TWO

• A day of fieldwork.

• Practical use of identification apps, binoculars and scopes.

• The day will start at the estuary of the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers and then move on the woodlands, wetlands and farmlands of Yellow Rock Road, Urunga Wetland and Bellinger Keys .

• Picnic lunch at Morgo Park.

DAY THREE

• Back in the classroom, and a discussion of what we learnt from the day of fieldwork.

• How can you be further involved with birds?

• How to attract birds to your garden.

• Bird organisations - BirdLife Australia and local clubs - Bird tourism Citizen Science - The Aussie Bird Count, the Shorebird Survey, Key Biodiversity Areas etc Birdata, eBird and how to enjoy surveying birds in a way that assists conservation.

• Conservation issues - causes of widespread declines in bird numbers.

• Land clearing and reclamation for development and the effect introduced predators.

• Local bird conservation issues and how you can help.

DAY FOUR

• A second day of fieldwork.

• Birding around Bellingen, then head up to the Dorrigo Plateau.

• Birding around the Griffith Lookout, then the Wonga Walk (1km, undulating, sealed, track) in the Gondwana Rainforest of Dorrigo National Park.

• Picnic lunch at The Glade.

• Course summary and discussion.

DAY FIVE

This day will be arranged by the tutor, according to the weather during the week. It will likely be an extra day of fieldwork.