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Field Institute: Exploring Bird Diversity at Point Reyes

Down For the Count: Exploring Bird Diversity at Point Reyes

Class date / time: Sun, December 19, 2021

9:30 AM – 3:30 PM PST

Instructor: David Wimpfheimer

Fee: $70

Non-Member Fee: $80

Event Information

The Christmas Bird Count monitors over two hundred species and the Seashore ranks near the top of all counts. Join us to practice and enjoy!

About this event

For fifty years the Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been an annual tradition monitoring the winter populations of over two hundred species of birds here. Point Reyes National Seashore and adjoining areas rank in the top ten of over two thousand counts nationwide in terms of species diversity. This remarkable accomplishment is mostly the result of the wide variety of habitats here.

The day after the 2021 count we will enjoy some of this amazing avian diversity in a number of short walks. This will be a moderately fast paced outing with the focus of seeing a lot of birds, but allowing time to learn bird identification by sight and sound.

David compiled the CBC for twenty years and will share information on population trends of the birds of Point Reyes. Learn which birds are more common here than in the past and conversely which are now uncommon. The class will begin at the Bear Valley Picnic Area.

David Wimpfheimer is a professional naturalist and biologist. For thirty-five years David has pursed his passion, natural history of the America West. He enthusiastically shares his extensive knowledge about all aspects of the natural world with many groups including Smithsonian Institution, California Academy of Sciences, Road Scholar and Oceanic Society.

About the PRNSA Field Institute:

The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

Get details

Earlier Event: December 18
Full moon hike for PRNSA members
Later Event: December 19
Field Institute: Forest Bathing Walk