PLEASE NOTE: The prices displayed are for sole occupancy and shared accommodation. Non- resident guests are welcome. For most of our courses, the cost for non- residential guests is about 75% of the price for staying in shared accommodation. Please contact the Centre ( see page 2) for an exact price. centre level datesdays sole occupancyshared fee FM . O . 01 Feb- 03 Feb . Fri- Sun . £ 174 . £ 135 birds & other animals W ithin this section you will find over 130 courses covering the animal kingdom from the large animals such as birds and mammals through to invertebrate groups - the smaller animals without backbones. All the courses listed are designed to improve your identification skills and understanding of animal lifestyles. You can appreciate both common and rare species so much more if you have a real grounding in how to observe them and what to look for. In many cases, we also highlight the impact of human activities on bird and other animal populations and share concerns about relevant conservation issues. We are pleased to offer a range of courses in partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology, The Mammal Society and the Bat Conservation Trust to promote understanding and good practice. Full details are found in this section. Courses marked * BI can form part of the University of Birmingham Certificate in Biological Recording and Species Identification. Full details are given on page 43 of the brochure. For specific courses on biological monitoring and habitat management please see the Habitats and Conservation section on page 38. small copper in grasslandPete Boardman herring gullPete Boardman 18 Accredited courses which could count towards a qualification ( see page 43). BLBlencathra . DFDale Fort . DGDerrygonnelly . EFEpping Forest . FMFlatford Mill . JHJuniper Hall . KDKindrogan . MTMalham Tarn . MAMargam . OROrielton . PMPreston Montford . RCRhyd- y- creuau . SLSlapton Ley *

Birds Winter Birds EF . B . 31 Jan . Sun . Non- residential £ 35 Spend the day exploring the best birding spots in the Lea Valley, an area well known for winter wildfowl and waders. The variety of habitats in the Valley means there will be the chance to see and identify a range of birds. Andy Fleming is an experienced ornithologist with an excellent knowledge of local birding sites and species. Late Winter Birdwatching Weekend FM . O . 05 Feb- 07 Feb . Fri- Sun . £ 214 . £ 194 Wildfowl, shorebirds and winter visitors will be the main focus of interest during this birdwatching weekend but if there is a touch of spring in the air we shall take to the woods to look and listen for early breeding season activity! Geoff Abbott regularly leads courses at Flatford Mill and is well known for his thorough and patient approach to teaching identification skills. Winter Birds in Woods and Water PM . O . 26 Feb- 28 Feb . Fri- Sun . £ 240 . £ 220 Wildfowl of the Shropshire meres and mosses will be the main focus of the weekend but other species and sites will not be overlooked. In addition to gaining confidence in identification of these often colourful birds we will study their behaviour and why they make incredible journeys to spend the winter months with us. Allan Dawes is the BTO representative for Shropshire, a lifelong general naturalist and experienced course leader. He has been involved with monitoring wildfowl on the Shropshire meres for almost 30 years. Identifying Birds by Sight and Sound FM . O . 26 Mar- 28 Mar . Fri- Sun . £ 214 . £ 194 A course on bird identification taking advantage of all the activity at the start of the new breeding season. We shall visit some of the best birdwatching sites in Suffolk to learn about bird characteristics and behaviour. By observing birds closely and listening to their songs and calls you shall gain confidence in identifying a wide range of common and scarcer species. Steve Piotrowski is one of the most experienced birders in the region and author of The Birds of Suffolk. Introduction to Birdwatching and Bird Song MA . O . 26 Mar- 28 Mar . Fri- Sun . £ 215 . £ 195 This course is for anyone wanting to know more about our extraordinary resident birds and how to confidently identify their songs. We shall take gentle strolls within the vast diverse Margam estate. With no need to travel, maximum time is available to discover the why, how, where and when of bird song activity. An optional dawn chorus walk is included. Ian Smith is an all-round naturalist and experienced birder, specialising in tutoring accessible courses for over 15 years. Bird Identification for Beginners PM . B . 02 Apr- 04 Apr . Fri- Sun . £ 240 . £ 220 If you are thinking about taking up birdwatching or have recently started then this course is designed for you. Over the weekend you will learn about bird structure and the observation skills that will help you to become proficient in bird identification. There will be a gentle introduction to recognising bird song and to help you, a CD of common garden bird songs is included in the price of the course. Martin Godfrey is an ecological consultant and an experienced field ornithologist and naturalist. Introduction to Bird Identification OR . O . 09 Apr- 13 Apr . Fri- Tue . £ 350 . £ 310 Pembrokeshire is perfectly placed to offer a wide variety of habitats for keen birdwatchers and beginners. We will visit woodland, wetland and seacliffs, learning how to identify birds by sight and sound and examining their general ecology. A visit to Skomer Island, with its internationally important seabird colonies is planned, weather permitting ( Boat and landing fees are not included). Bob Haycock, a warden with the Countryside Council for Wales, is an experienced tutor with the FSC. Bird Songs and Calls for Beginners: The Early Spring Weekend FM . B . 16 Apr- 18 Apr . Fri- Sun . £ 214 . £ 194 If you enjoy listening to birds, but are frustrated trying to separate different species, this course will certainly develop your knowledge and confidence. Listening in the field and reviewing using MP3s and DVDs will help you to memorise those elusive sound patterns. This weekend will concentrate on resident species but some summer visitors should also be present. Steve Piotrowski is one of the most experienced birders in Suffolk and regularly teaches at Flatford Mill. Scottish Spring Birds, Flowers and Butterflies KD . O . 23 Apr- 30 Apr . Fri- Fri . £ 440 . £ 370 Kindrogan is ideally situated close to woodland, rivers and lochs. A short trip by minibus takes you to some superb birding sites. Local sites, including Killiecrankie, Loch of the Lowes and Loch Kinnordy will be visited. At Kindrogan we shall have one dawn- chorus morning when the birdsong will be at its best. We shall also venture out to listen to the ' sounds of the night'. Russell Nisbet has been a Nature Reserve Warden for over 20 years and now freelances as a wildlife tour operator. Discovering Birds EF . B . 25 Apr . Sun . Non- residential £ 39 This day course will provide an introduction to the birds of Epping Forest. Participants will visit a variety of sites in the Forest and learn to identify woodland birds by sight and sound, whilst focusing on the ecology and conservation of different species. Andy Fleming is an experienced ornithologist with an excellent knowledge of local birding sites and species. Bird Songs and Calls for Improvers FM . I . 30 Apr- 02 May . Fri- Sun . £ 214 . £ 194 This course is for anyone who feels fairly confident that they know the main garden and woodland bird songs. We will start by revising these using MP3s and DVDs to sort out confusable species. Then we will visit different habitats including the heathland, forest and reedbed at Minsmere RSPB Reserve to listen for a wider range of species, such as redstart, Dartford warbler, Cetti's warbler and bearded tit. Steve Piotrowski is one of the most experienced birders in Suffolk and regularly runs this course at Flatford Mill. Songbird Identification PM . I . 30 Apr- 03 May . Fri- Mon . £ 319 . £ 289 This weekend course in late spring is at the ideal time to see and hear songbirds. It will concentrate on identification skills using sight and song, with field notebooks as important aids to observation. There will be at least one early start and visits to a wide range of interesting habitats. A copy of Bird Songs and Callsby Geoff Sample is included in the course fee. Martin Godfrey is an ecological consultant and experienced field ornithologist and naturalist. * BI Bird Songs and Calls for Beginners: The Late Spring Weekend FM . B . 14 May- 16 May . Fri- Sun . £ 214 . £ 194 See course description 16 Apr- 18 Apr but please note there will be more summer visitors around in May. These two weekends are ' stand- alone' courses, but if you do decide to attend both you will increase your opportunities for learning bird songs and calls. Steve Piotrowski. Birdwatching in the Dales MT . O . 14 May- 17 May . Fri- Mon . £ 305 . £ 275 A course for the beginner or anyone who wants to extend their identification skills and knowledge of birds. Participants will visit a variety of different habitats concentrating on common garden and woodland species and some of the birds that are special to the uplands of the Yorkshire Dales. Colin Straker is an experienced course tutor, lives locally and knows the Dales intimately from his days as a National Park Warden. David Sharrod, chairman of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, has a lifelong interest in birds. www. field- studies- council. org/ animals 19 Birds & other Animals PLEASE NOTE: The prices displayed are for sole occupancy and shared accommodation. Non- resident guests are welcome. For most of our courses, the cost for non- residential guests is about 75% of the price for staying in shared accommodation. Please contact the Centre ( see page 2) for an exact price. centre level datesdays sole occupancyshared fee FM . O . 01 Feb- 03 Feb . Fri- Sun . £ 174 . £ 135