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Let’s Go Birding! (for beginners)

Date & Time:

September 11, 2024, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location:

Trails

Types:

Courses and Programs, Outdoor Adventure

Length:

1 to 2 Hours

Admission:

Pre-Registration Required, Ticketed Event

Event Description

Would you like to learn about Ontario bird species and how to identify them in the field? Are you interested in taking up birding as a hobby? If either of these questions resonate with you, then “Let’s Go Birding” is the program for you!

  • Fee: $20 + $1 Service Fee & HST (Members 10% off)
  • Registration Closes: 3 days prior
  • More dates available!

Registration opens: Wednesday July 31 at 11 a.m.

Join other birders and learn how to identify a variety of birds in the field, using features such as colour, size, shape, behaviour, habitat, and bird song. To provide you with a high quality experience, each session is kept to a small group size of 12 registrants. Sessions take place in a variety of habitats on RBG lands, including the Arboretum, Hendrie Valley, Princess Point, or Rock Chapel.  Participants will be notified of the next program’s location via email at least 48 hours prior to each program date. 2-3 hours long, perfect for beginners. 

Looking for an intermediate program? Try “The Joy of Birding!”

All Autumn Session Dates

Each date requires separate registration. Use the link above to register for any upcoming program.

  • Wednesday September 11; 5 to 8 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
  • Friday September 13; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Catherine Manschot)
  • Saturday September 21; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
  • Sunday September 29; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
  • Sunday October 6; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Catherine Manschot)
  • Saturday October 19; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
  • Sunday October 27; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
  • Saturday November 16; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (instructor: Heather Hosten)
Caspian Tern Flying Cootes Paradise Credit Markzelinski.com

To prepare for your birding session, please consider the following:

  1. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes.
  2. We will be hiking slowly for a few kilometers over the course of 2-3 hours.
  3. Please bring a water bottle, and snacks in case you get hungry.
  4. Binoculars are a must, but if you don’t have a good pair, we can lend you a pair for the outing.
  5. Although we love animals, please leave your pets at home.
  6. To protect our natural ecosystems, we ask you to stay on the trails and refrain from feeding the wildlife.
Heather Hosten in a natural area

Instructor: Heather Hosten

Instructor Bio

Heather Hosten started birding with the RBG’s birding program in 2018. She liked it so much that she joined the RBG as a volunteer and is now excited to be leading birding walks. She enjoys birding with friends and has volunteered with a local bird banding station. When she is not birding, Heather works as a speech language pathologist and enjoys gardening and needlework. 

  • male hooded merganser duck
  • Person using binoculars to birdwatch in the forest
  • Bobolink perched on a fencepost
  • red headed woodpecker

Register for RBG’s Courses & Workshops

Pre-registration required for all Courses and Workshops. View all upcoming courses and workshops from all categories at rbg.ca/publicprograms.

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