NI Bird ID and BTO Projects (3 modules, Tuesdays 7pm)

Blackcap by Gary Loader
Level
Beginner/Improver
Presenter
Stephen Hewitt
Date
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 19:00 to Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 20:30
Places
Fully booked

In an online course designed specifically for a Northern Ireland audience, improve your bird ID and birdwatching skills and learn how these can be put to good use locally in some exciting BTO-led projects.

The training will consist of three weekly online modules, complemented by supported self-study exercises. The training will be run by BTO Northern Ireland Officer Stephen Hewitt, himself an experienced birdwatcher and bird surveyor, with support from other BTO staff. Participants will be invited to subsequent (optional) field outings.

In order to participate you will need:

  • broadband of sufficient speed to view live video (we can carry out a test in advance if you are unsure)
  • a computer with sound and ideally a webcam, or a tablet/smartphone.

The three elements of the training will be as follows:

MODULE 1: Bird identification, with an emphasis on songs and calls
Tuesday 18th May, 7-8:30am
An overview of the various components of bird identification followed by an entertaining interactive workshop which will help you to recognise and remember the songs and calls of many of the commoner breeding birds found in Northern Ireland.

MODULE 2: How to improve as a birdwatcher 
Tuesday 25th May, 7-8:30pm
After a recap of what you learned in the first session, this interactive module will introduce you to some recommended resources and practical activities which will help you to further improve, building on the knowledge that you have already acquired.

MODULE 3: BTO research, schemes and surveys
Tuesday 1st June, 7-8:30pm
After a further recap, this module will give you an insight into BTO research, introducing our cutting-edge satellite-tracking projects. You'll then learn about BTO-led recording schemes and surveys, and the impactful outputs that they generate. Finally, you'll receive guidance on how to judge which recording scheme is appropriate for your ability level, and advice on how to get started 

This course has been subsidised by NIEA, allowing us to offer it to participants in Northern Ireland free of charge!

To book a place, please click one of the 'Register Now' buttons, at the top or bottom of the page.

If you have any questions, or difficulties booking a place online, please email us at northern.ireland [at] bto.org