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Slideshow on the basics of birdwatching, followed by a leisurely bird walk around the farm.
There is spectacular biodiversity all around us--though often it is hidden in plain sight. Perhaps no taxonomic group has captivated the human imagination quite like birds. In Ancient Greece, oracles looked to birds in the skies to foretell the future. Throughout recorded history, birds have played a symbolic role in art and literature. They fascinate us with their flight, dazzle us with their beauty and serenade us with song. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of how to find and identify many of the amazing birds that inhabit the forests, fields and ponds of the Berkshires. There are few other outdoor pursuits that offer physical, intellectual and spiritual benefits that come quite naturally with learning to notice, identify and watch birds. Our aim is for each participant to gain a deeper connection to and appreciation of the natural world through the gateway of birdwatching.
Space is limited.
Please bring your own binoculars if you have them. There will be some provided, but there may not be enough for everyone.
Access note: The farm has inclines and uneven terrain. A porta potty is available that is handicap accessible.
About the facilitator: Ben Nickley, executive director of Berkshire Bird Conservatory is a scientist with a passion for birds and the ecosystems they are integral to. Always fascinated by nature, he got his start in science at Ohio State University. Since then, Ben has travelled across North America pursuing avian field studies for nonprofits, universities, and state governments—picking up his master’s in biology along the way. He is the author of several peer-reviewed articles and has presented his work at international conferences. Helping others connect with the natural world through birds is his forte and his mission. He currently directs Berkshire Bird Observatory, a small non-profit dedicated to the conservation of birds through science, partnerships, and education.
Exchange: $50 suggested donation
Slideshow on the basics of birdwatching, followed by a leisurely bird walk around the farm.
There is spectacular biodiversity all around us--though often it is hidden in plain sight. Perhaps no taxonomic group has captivated the human imagination quite like birds. In Ancient Greece, oracles looked to birds in the skies to foretell the future. Throughout recorded history, birds have played a symbolic role in art and literature. They fascinate us with their flight, dazzle us with their beauty and serenade us with song. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of how to find and identify many of the amazing birds that inhabit the forests, fields and ponds of the Berkshires. There are few other outdoor pursuits that offer physical, intellectual and spiritual benefits that come quite naturally with learning to notice, identify and watch birds. Our aim is for each participant to gain a deeper connection to and appreciation of the natural world through the gateway of birdwatching.
Space is limited.
Please bring your own binoculars if you have them. There will be some provided, but there may not be enough for everyone.
Access note: The farm has inclines and uneven terrain. A porta potty is available that is handicap accessible.
About the facilitator: Ben Nickley, executive director of Berkshire Bird Conservatory is a scientist with a passion for birds and the ecosystems they are integral to. Always fascinated by nature, he got his start in science at Ohio State University. Since then, Ben has travelled across North America pursuing avian field studies for nonprofits, universities, and state governments—picking up his master’s in biology along the way. He is the author of several peer-reviewed articles and has presented his work at international conferences. Helping others connect with the natural world through birds is his forte and his mission. He currently directs Berkshire Bird Observatory, a small non-profit dedicated to the conservation of birds through science, partnerships, and education.
Exchange: $50 suggested donation