Join us for an in-depth natural history course to develop your naturalists skills. Each month, in our series of nature explorations with different local naturalists, we explore a focused, seasonal, natural history topic. We’ll look at nature in new ways, from broad habitat perspectives to close details of individual species. Over the course of the year we’ll visit a variety of natural habitats in the greater Pioneer Valley area. Identification skills, ecological connections, adaptations, and life cycles of organisms will be the focus of our observations. Bring your curiosity and observation skills. Dress for the weather for 3 hours as we rarely cancel due to inclement weather. Bring binoculars and a hand lens, water and snacks if you would like. These will be outdoor only programs. Please dress for the weather and plan to wear a mask for everyone’s safety.

As spring emerges so many birds return to their summer breeding and feeding grounds in search of a safe place in which to make a nest and begin the next generation. Scott Surner, long time bird enthusiast, will offer tips on bird identification from sight, song and flight patterns as we amble along the trail in search of winter migrants.

Background: Scott Surner has been studying and observing birds for over 45 years throughout the Connecticut River Valley, (Massachusetts) New England and North America. His travels have taken him to New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska, Canada (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Churchill) Costa Rica, Belize and Veracruz, Mexico. He has been teaching bird ID classes at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst, MA since 1980. He is a founding member and past president of the Hampshire Bird Club, (Established in 1984) and a past member of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee.

Sunday, April 25, 9am-12pm
In Amherst

Tier A – $45 per class or $121 for winter season
Tier B – $36 per class or $97 for winter season
Tier C – $27 per class or $73 for winter season
Tier D – $18 per class or $49 for winter season
There is a 10% discount for signing up for the full fall series.