Holistic Birding
Bird and Nature Virtual Programs, Classes and Workshops
contact stella.birdsandnature@gmail.com
Birding 101: A Guide for Beginner Birdwatchers is a "learn how to bird" with a twist: it's an invitation to a way of birding that blends practical skills with a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Spending time looking for and observing birds is great for your physical, mental, and emotional health. It connects you to nature in a way that goes beyond just hiking. It teaches you observation skills, and, if you choose, it can open the doors to making new friends.
It's flexible-you can bird only in your backyard, or you can choose to travel the world to see as many birds as possible. It keeps you sharp-because once you have seen a bird, you just want to learn as much as you can about it. It is really the perfect pastime when you think about it!
This two part course covers the essentials - how to choose and use binoculars, field guides, what equipment you really need (and what you don't), where and when to go birding, and how to identify birds using special keys, as well as field marks.
The New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News and countless other news outlets have headlined the devastating news that since 1970 we have lost 29% of our bird populations. According to the 2019 “State of the Birds Report”, that’s just about THREE BILLION birds. The 2022 report sounds an alarm about steep population losses in virtually all habitats. The report identifies 70 Tipping Point species that have lost half or more of their breeding population since 1970, and are on tract to lose another half or more in the next 50 years.
But why should we even care? And what can we do to help? This program will explain why birds matter, the perils they face, and how we can, as individuals and communities, work together to help protect them.
A virtual program exploring the fascinating world of owls, their life history, amazing adaptations, and the individual species that call NYS home, with the latest science and data.
The Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of passerine birds (also known as perching birds) that includes crows, ravens, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers.
Commonly referred to as the crow family or corvids, there are approximately 135 members of this family, including the largest, The Common Raven.
Corvids are famous for their remarkable intelligence for animals of their size, and are among the most intelligent birds thus far studied.
This fascinating program discusses the family as a whole, their incredible intelligence, as well as species accounts of the various family members that call New York home.
The forests and woodlands of New York provide ideal habitat for woodpecker species, some which breed here, one which is a regular migrant, spending winters with us, as well as a rarity to the area that may not be such a rarity for long. In this program we learn about the various species of woodpeckers that call lower NYS home, their amazing adaptations, as well as the answer to that age old question, “Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches?”
While many birds fly south to winter destinations, ranging from the southern U.S to southern South America, to escape the cold, some species make Long Island their winter destination! Join us for an engaging look at some of the fascinating birds that migrate to our region when breeding season is over. From the familiar dark-eyed junco to the less known hermit thrush, you'll meet some of the birds that spend their winter vacations with us.
We’ll also briefly dive into the fascinating adaptations that help these birds survive the coldest months—like specialized feeding strategies, cold-weather camouflage, and energy-saving behaviors.
From the melodic songs of wood thrushes in the woods to the spectacle of a nesting colony of terns and shorebirds, we’ll delve into the behaviors, habitats, and identification tips for species that call lower New York home during the nesting season.
We’ll also touch on the incredible journeys these birds make—where they come from, how they get here, and what triggers their return each year. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about the birds in your backyard, this program offers a closer look at the avian life that fills our summer with sound, color, and wonder.
Sparrows can be some of the trickiest birds to identify, but by knowing what to look for, you can learn to distinguish them with confidence! In this program, we’ll break down key features such as plumage patterns, habitat, behavior, and song to help you tell apart these tricky "little brown jobs'.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your ID skills, this session will provide tips, tricks, and practical field insights to make identifying these often-overlooked birds easier and more enjoyable. You’ll also be introduced to the sparrow species that call NYS home.
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The beloved Eastern Bluebird is one of North America's most cherished songbirds and a welcome sign of spring. But the story of the bluebird is also a story about habitat, nesting strategies and conservation efforts. This program begins with an introduction to cavity nesting, followed by a deeper look at the life of the Eastern Bluebird, including its behavior, nesting habits, diet and the conservation efforts that brought this beautiful bird back from the brink of extinction.
We will talk about nest boxes (with an option add-on at the end on how to monitor them) and will conclude with a rundown of some other NYS cavity nesting birds, followed by how you can welcome bluebirds to your yard.
Winter is the best time to see ducks on Long Island. Its bays, ponds and coastlines host a wide variety of species and provides an incredible haven for these species.
This program offers an introduction to the ducks (and geese) that spend the winter here, as well as tips for identifying them. Whether you're new to birding, or just want to sharpen your ID skills, you'll come away ready to recognize the feathered visitors that brighten Long Island's coldest months.
With their long legs, slow methodical steps and lightning fast strikes, wading birds are among the coolest residents of our local wetlands.
Before we meet the birds, we will start with a primer on wetlands-what makes these habitats so unique, other wildlife that can be found and why wetlands are so critical to our ecosystems.
You'll learn how to identify local species and by the end of the programs, you will see wetlands-and their residents, with fresh eyes.
All raptors have a hooked beak, strong feet with sharp talons, remarkable eyesight, and a carnivorous diet. This fascinating family includes nocturnal hunting owls, day hunting hawks; fish-eating ospreys, go-speed racer falcons, majestic eagles and nature’s clean up crew, vultures. Some are migratory, while others are year-round residents of lower NYS.
Raptors are apex predators that can be seen everywhere: in your backyard, the city, or in the wilds. In this program we will discuss lower NYS’s diurnal birds of prey, their adaptations and how to identify them.
This comprehensive workshop explains why it is important to landscape for birds and other wildlife, along with tips for creating backyard habitats that include food, shelter and nesting spots. You'll also learn the basics of designing and choosing plants for your wildlife sanctuary.
This program is a two part workshop, but can be shortened to a one part.
Curious about feeding birds, but not sure where to start? Are you already feeding birds, but wondering if you are doing it correctly (yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it!)?
This program is an introduction to the basics of feeding birds, from choosing the right food and feeders to creating a safe haven for the birds in your yard.
Attendees will learn how to attract a variety of species, understand seasonal changes in feeding and avoid common mistakes that can cause harm.
Whether you are brand new to this wonderful hobby, or looking to up your bird feeding game, this program will offer detailed, practical and easy-to-follow guidance to help you not only enjoy the birds in your backyard - but to do so responsibly.
Throughout history, birds have captured the human imagination. They appear in myths, legends and spiritual traditions around the world - as symbols of wisdom, messengers between realms, harbingers of change and even omens of misfortune. From ancient folklore to modern storytelling, birds embody some of our most enduring cultural and spiritual ideas.
Take a journey through folklore and mythology as we discover the ways birds have been celebrated and understood. We will hear actual stories as written as we reveal how these timeless stories continue to shape our connection to birds today.
These continuing education courses consist of between four and six classes and can be tailored.
Birds, Why They Matter:
Class One-Why Birds Matter & The Threats They Face
Class Two -How We Can Help
Class Three - Gardening For Birds
Class Four - Bird Feeding 101
Class Five and Six - Birds in Our Backyards
Owls of NYS:
Class One-Owls in Myth and Folklore
Class Two-Adaptations
Class Three-Resident Owls
Class Four-Migrant Owls