​BSBO proudly introduces our new
​Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series
sponsored by Zeiss

Although the way we gather has changed, we can still come together virtually to celebrate birds, birding, and bird conservation!

Join BSBO and our outstanding lineup of speakers for fun, informative, interesting, and uplifting virtual presentations and workshops - delivered to you in the comfort of your own home! 

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About the series

Pricing

BSBO Members: FREE
Students: FREE
Non-members: $5.00

Click here to join our flock!

Privacy

Any private information submitted to Black Swamp Bird Observatory (including email) will never be shared or sold to third parties.  

Using Zoom

If you are new to Zoom and are unsure of how it works, feel free to contact BSBO at: staff@bsbo.org

Click here for a link to Zoom's website and a quick tutorial.

Or here for a list of
​Zoom FAQs.

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Check back often as we're adding more keynotes and workshops each month! 

*Times listed are in Eastern Time Zone

March

Opposing Threats for a Salty Sparrow:
​Understanding Seaside Sparrow Nest-predation
​in the Face of Climate Change with Corina Newsome

Bird species native to Georgia’s coastal marshes are experiencing rapid changes to their habitat, specifically in the form of sea level rise. In Seaside Sparrows, sea level rise directly threatens breeding success through nest flooding. 

​​This threat is compounded by increased exposure to predators when they elevate their nests to avoid future flooding. Corina will share her recent findings regarding the threat of nest predation, along with interesting and unexpected footage from the secret lives of Seaside Sparrows.

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EST
Duration: 45 min with a 15 min Q&A

About Corina

Corina Newsome is the Community Engagement Manager for Georgia Audubon and a biology Master’s student at Georgia Southern University. Corina, who began in the field of wildlife conservation as a zookeeper, currently conducts research to conserve the MacGillivray's Seaside Sparrow and connects people with birds across the state of Georgia. Having experienced the hurdles faced by people of color interested in wildlife careers, she has founded several programs to encourage high school students from underrepresented demographics to consider careers in wildlife sciences. Corina’s mission is to center the perspectives and leadership of historically oppressed communities in wildlife conservation, environmental education, and exploration of the natural world.  

March

Understanding Bird Family Groups
​for Better Bird Identification 

Ducks, hawks, shorebirds, herons... Many groups of birds have easily recognizable shapes. But what about the songbirds? This large group of birds comprises more than half of all bird species and ranges widely in size and shape; from the enormous Common Raven, to the minute Golden-crowned Kinglet.      

With a group so big, knowing what family to look in is often the first step to identification. In this workshop the BSBO team will breakdown the families that make up the "songbirds," highlighting the features and behaviors that make a warbler a warbler, a flycatcher a flycatcher, and many more!  ​

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EST
Duration: 45 mins with a 15 min Q&A

Where to Go Birding in Ohio

Ohio has an amazing number of great places to go birding! In this workshop, experienced birders from around the state will share tips for visiting their favorite birding destinations. 

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EDT
Duration: 45 mins with a 15 min Q&A

April

Birding and Nature Exploration with Families

​Birding is a wonderful family activity! In this fun and interactive workshop, the BSBO team will share some great ideas to make your next outdoor adventure super fun for exciting for the whole family! 

Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EDT
Duration: 45 mins with a 15 min Q&A

Backyard Beauties: Photographing Birds at Home with Marie Read

Photo by Sarah Blodgett

Want to take beautiful photos of birds? Stuck at home with travel plans on hold? No worries—there are great photo opportunities all year round right outside your door. In this lively presentation, acclaimed wildlife photographer Marie Read shares lots of practical advice to help you turn your backyard into a bird photography paradise. She’ll reveal insider tips and creative techniques for capturing beautiful shots of the birds that share your yard, including using photo equipment and blinds, creating attractive and naturalistic setups, working with bird feeders and natural food plants, action and flight shots, and more. Plus tips to increase the avian diversity of your yard for even more photo opportunities using bird-friendly gardening practices.

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EDT
Duration: 45 mins with a 15 min Q&A

About Marie

Wildlife photographer/author Marie Read has forged a career out of capturing special moments in birds’ lives, creating images that combine beauty with impactful storytelling. While she loves to travel in search of subjects for her camera, her central New York backyard has given her some of her most memorable shots. Marie’s award-winning photos are published nationally and internationally in magazines, books, and calendars. She’s won awards and honorable mentions in numerous contests, including Bird Photographer of the Year 2020, NANPA Showcase 2021, Share The View, Audubon Photography Awards and Nature’s Best. Her articles and photo essays about bird behavior and bird photography have appeared in Living Bird, Bird Watching, Nature’s Best, and Wild Planet, among others. Marie has authored or co-authored five books, most recently Mastering Bird Photography: the Art, Craft and Technique of Photographing Birds and Their Behavior (Rocky Nook) published 2019.

Getting to Know the Other​ Blue Birds

Eastern Bluebirds and Blue Jays get all the love, but they aren't the only blue bird species that we see in Ohio. In this workshop the BSBO team will help give the OTHER blue birds some love, including Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Tree Swallows, and White-breasted Nuthatch, to name a few. 

Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Time: 07:00 PM EDT
Duration: 45 mins with a 15 min Q&A

​Join us in May for The Biggest Week In American Birding