Course Dates: March 12 through May 9 (Thursdays 2-4pm & Saturdays 9am-12pm)

Description: An introduction to basic bird identification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology and taxonomic relationships as applied to species resident in and/or migratory through Stanly County and surrounding areas. Students will be required to take at least one hour to independently complete one or more assessment task(s) per week that will be submitted in Canvas for feedback from the instructor. The laboratory section of the course will emphasize the importance of taking field notes in order to learn how to identify birds. Lab sessions will take place outside on Stanly Community College’s campus, as well as at nearby city, state and national parks. As such, participants must be prepared to study in “The Great Outdoors” under a wide range of weather conditions. Lab will only be postponed for weather if conditions involve imminent danger (e.g., lightning, tornado, flooding, et al.)

CEU’s: 4.0

Textbook Required: Sibley's Birding Basics: How to Identify Birds, Using the Clues in Feathers, Habitats, Behaviors, and Sounds, by David Allen Sibley and Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide and Audio CD Set (2nd edition preferred), by Stan Tekiela. Also, some kind of field notebook; recommended: RITE IN THE RAIN Field Book, Universal, 4-5/8 x 7-1/4In.

Supplies or Other Requirements: Driver’s License or ability to carpool to field sites. Ideally, a pair of binoculars; preferably with 7-8x magnification and 35-42mm objective lenses.

Instructor:
Bryan Sharp
Biology Instructor
(704) 991-0309 or bsharp7334@stanly.edu

Mr. Sharp has over 25 years of experience as an ornithologist, including academic field research, bird-banding, sequencing DNA, organizing museum collections, leading bird walks for the public, reviewing reports of bird observations to eBird for the state of Durango, Mexico and organizing the Christmas Bird Count for that same state. He is very excited to offer this class here in Stanly County – a relatively undiscovered birding hotspot!