AZFO Field Workshop: Shorebird Identification

28 August 2010

Southwestern Maricopa County

OVERVIEW:

Are you one of those birders that say, “Oh, I don’t do shorebirds” or you encounter one of those large flocks of frantically foraging little “peeps” and instead of carefully sorting through them to pick out the different species you simply quickly move your attention to the larger and easier to identify shorebirds nearby?  Well if you answered yes to either we encourage you to join us in the field for a workshop to provide birders with useful tips in identifying these mud-loving waders.   

It will be near peak migration in Arizona for shorebirds and we plan to visit several sites which traditionally harbor concentrations of shorebirds in the west valley of the Greater Phoenix area and possibly as far southwest as the Gila Bend area.  This should provide us with plenty of opportunity to study not only a good diversity of shorebirds, but different adult and juvenile plumages for many of them during the workshop. Calls of many shorebirds also aid in their identification, so when the opportunity arises we will also point out those differences as well. Our goal is to provide participants with sufficient knowledge to enhance their birding skills and ultimately their birding experience out in the field. So please join us! 

WORKSHOP LEADERS:

Troy Corman

Kurt Radamaker

FEES AND REGISTRATION:  There is no limitation on the number of workshop participants, but please register with Troy Corman by email (aplomado@cox.net) or phone (602-482-6187) by Tuesday, 24 August. We ask that participants contribute $5.00 each which will go towards our newly established Gale Monson Research Grants program: http://www.azfo.org/grants/grants.html.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY / WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FIELD:

-This trip will require easy short hikes in several shorebird concentration areas. 

-One early morning outing and returning by early to mid-afternoon.

-As the morning advances, expect very high temperatures and lots of sun as most locations offer little shade.

OTHER PREPARATIONS:

-Food (snacks and a lunch) and plenty of water for a day’s outing

-Please bring sunscreen and a hat, long pants, and sturdy hiking footwear

-Binoculars, scopes, field guides and small notebook

CARPOOLING, MEETING TIMES/PLACES:

-Carpooling to be arranged by Workshop Leaders and coordinated with registered participants

-Meeting time/place: TBA to registered participants