Tree swallow in snag nest cavity
“Chris Byrd is the most skilled naturalist that I know personally. He is extremely skilled in bird knowledge including bird identification and bird language. His bird classes are extremely detailed and thorough, and cover everything from bird morphology and taxonomy to flight migration patterns, feather identification and mnemonic devices for remembering bird calls.” - Jack Pain
“Chris is a "human encyclopedia". I have gained a deep well of knowledge concerning birds and bird language. I have used the information that I gained from Chris to identify predators that I was tracking when leading groups in the wilderness. I have learned to identify territories and mating behavior by remembering what Chris had taught me. I have been able to see the universal language of birds as I have moved around the country, and it gave me a deeper understanding of my environment. Every bird class that Chris ran left me satisfied with what I had learned, but always craving more because of the inspiration he instilled in me.” - James Michael Ciesluk
Birding Basics Seasonal Workshops
“Byrd’s Birds” Spring Workshop taught by Chris Byrd
Saturday, May 15, 2021 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (other seasonal workshop dates TBD)
Union Bay Natural Area, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, Washington
$60 per person per class or sign up for all 4 seasonal workshops for $220.
Email info@cohabitats.com to sign up. Payment can be made via PayPal or Venmo.
10 people max per class (masks required)
This beginner’s course you will learn bird identification and behavior. In addition to discovering how to identify a number of birds by sight and by ear, you will also be introduced to tracking skills (bird tracks, feathers and other bird sign on the landscape) and bird communication systems (bird language). The course will use the GISS (General Impression, Size & Shape) method of identification to provide students with an easy to learn, and universally applicable visual bird ID methodology. Bird vocalizations will be taught with a variety of methods, but the emphasis will be on analogy to make the initial steps of vocal identification easier. The course is open to all ages and ability levels. People with birding experience will walk away with new skills, but the primary focus of the course will be to introduce beginners to the amazing world of birds.
Education: Workshops & Retreats
Custom courses and events include:
Land Listening Workshops
Naturalist & Stewardship Skills Workshops
Forest Bathing & Nature Connection Retreats
Land Honoring Ceremonies
Learn skills and knowledge that foster connection with the natural world. Cohabitats has unique skills in connecting with land and its wild inhabitants. We provide training to stimulate sensory awareness, increase identification skills, refine interpretive observations and foster a deep connection with nature. Cohabitats believes that increasing connection and knowledge of the natural world is critical to our path to healing our environment and becoming powerful stewards.
Image: Students tracking a black bear on the Oregon Dunes (Photo by Jason Knight)
Learn new ways to connect to the natural world!
Image: Harvesting for fall wild edible plants class
Image: (Photo by instructor Heather Swift)