Free Introductory Bird Watching Workshop This Sunday

By Robert Thomas

With Spring rapidly approaching very soon migratory birds will be returning and with that comes the opportunity to enjoy the activity of birding or bird watching.

But what do you need to be a successful bird watcher? What are those little tricks and tools you need to watch the birds in a box on-evasive and helpful way?

If you do not know – and even if you do know this Sunday afternoon was made for you.

From 1 – 3 pm the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation (MJWF) is hosting a beginners bird identification workshop at the MJWF Hall located at 1396 Third Avenue NE. The Hall is located directly behind the north-east corner of the Town and Country Mall parking lot (east side or the back of the mall).

The event is not only family friendly but families are encouraged to attend the workshop which will feature the basic tools necessary to start your journey into the world of birds, Todd Smith MJWF president said.

“Whether you are an avid birders or someone just getting into it this is a full on introduction and all of the must have tools,” Smith said.

The event will not just be about identification books and binoculars he said but also such things as identifying birds but their various songs as well.

Provincially bird watching is not only popular but a growing hobby, Smith said.

“There is a huge interest in bird watching. Provincially there are avid birders all over the province,” he said.

The workshop is special because participants will not only be learning about the basics of watching birds but also have the opportunity to actually help out some real science when it’s comes to ornithology or the study of birds.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is part of a group of nature organizations which includes Nature Saskatchewan, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Bird Canada who are working on the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas.

The citizen's science project is in year four of five year project to catalogue all of the various bird sightings all over the province. The Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas is compiled on a 20 year cycle and is used by professional biologists and scientists in their studies of the province's various bird species and their habitat.

To learn more about this province-wide effort Click Here.

The atlas is being compiled through such events as the Backyard Bird Count where bird watchers become citizen scientists and go out and observe and record the types of birds and their numbers literally in their back yards and in their communities.

“The great thing about this is here is a chance for the ordinary person to go out and make a contribution to science.”

The Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas gives biologists comparative data to assist them in not just knowing the numbers and species sited but an insight into their numbers, distribution as well as habitat.

Smith himself is into helping out the American kestral through a nesting box program. The American kestral is a raptor or a bird of play. But despite this hands on bird assistance program birding as well as the workshop is for everyone.

“Birding is loads of fun for the kids. It is not just about watching birds but picking up on their various songs and identifying them through that as well as their activities,” Smith said.

The free workshop is open to everyone whether they are two years old or 102.

Introduction To Bird Watching Workshop Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation Hall – 1396 Third Avenue NE

Sunday March 14th from 1 pm – 3 pm and the cost is free.

The event is open to everyone