Birding for Beginners

Birding for Beginners

Hike Overview Continued

Instructor: Kelly Minear

Have you ever wondered what birds live in your backyard? Do you wish you could identify that weird noise following you on your hikes? If you’re new to birding and want to learn the basics with other newbies, this is the place for you! Join Kelly, Lead Educator with the Glacier Institute, for a fun day with birds! We’ll learn the basics of bird identification and practice identifying birds from multiple families including raptors, waterfowl, songbirds, and more! We’ll cover the ways you can log (or not log) the birds you see. Kelly will even share some of her favorite birding hot spots that led to her current love of these feathered friends. By the end of the day, you’ll not only have the tools to identify basic birds in Glacier National Park, but wherever your travels take you.

Meeting place: Glacier Institute Field Camp.

Itinerary: (subject to change due to trail closures and weather)
We’ll begin our day at 7 a.m. at Field Camp to learn some birding basics and practice these skills around the area. We’ll then head to other locations on the east and west side of the park to get a variety of species. The course will finish around 4 p.m. and will not be canceled due to weather.

Food: Please bring a trail lunch, plenty of water, and snacks for the day.

Park Entrance Fees: Participants are responsible for purchasing their park entrance passes prior to the course. These can be purchased online at: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74280.

Equipment: You will receive a Field Camp gear list once you register. Most importantly are comfortable hiking shoes, snacks, water bottle at least 1-2 liters, backpack, rain gear, hat, and sunscreen. Weather can be varied, especially in the spring and fall, so please be prepared with appropriate clothing, with extra layers. Binoculars are very useful, as well as bird field guides.

Physical Requirements: Moderate: We will be hiking to various sites at an easy pace, stopping frequently to listen for and identify bird songs and the birds that create them. The hiking may be on or off trail, in brushy and marshy areas. Distance will be up to 3 miles with 500 feet of elevation change.