for the bird at your feeder and the one you can’t quite name
Birding Basics Workshop: Birding with Merlin & eBird | 2 hours of hands-on bird identification | $35
a steadier way to name the birds you meet
A bird lands at the feeder or crosses the trail, and most of us wish we knew its name. Apps like Merlin have made it easier to put a name to the birds we meet, and they work best alongside the older skills of looking and listening closely.
Ayurveda counts the senses as the doorways through which we take in the world, and learning to identify a bird is a patient way to practice that attention. Join Seth Chapman, local birder and Mindful Outdoor Guide, for an interactive, hands-on workshop on using Merlin and its sister app, eBird, alongside a traditional field guide.
why a field guide and an app
This workshop lays the foundation for identifying the birds you find at your feeder and out on the trail, using both a traditional field guide and a more modern, app-centered approach. Along the way, you will learn a practical method for confidently identifying the birds you encounter, and how to use binoculars effectively in the field.
what you receive
A two-hour, hands-on workshop with Seth Chapman:
Best practices for using Merlin and its sister app, eBird
A practical method for confidently identifying the birds you encounter
Guidance on using a traditional field guide alongside the apps
Tips for using binoculars effectively in the field
A hot cup of chai to warm up
your investment: $35
Community Care Funds are available for those who need support with tuition. Please contact us for support.
All Access Members receive an additional discount on this event.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact us at contact@ayurvedicwellness.center and we’re happy to help.
who it’s for
Anyone who would like to put a name to the birds at their feeder or on the trail, whether you are brand new to birding or already curious about the apps. No prior birding experience is needed, only a willingness to look and listen.
your questions, answered
Do I need any birding experience? No. This workshop lays the foundation, so it is open to anyone with an interest in birds.
Do I need a field guide? A field guide is not required, though it is highly recommended if you don’t already have one. Golden Field Guides and The Peterson Guide are good choices.
What should I bring? Your phone with the Merlin and eBird apps downloaded, binoculars if you have them, and a field guide if you already own one.
Where is the workshop held? In person at the Ayurvedic Wellness Center in Kalamazoo.
Seth's Yoga + Ayurveda journey began over a decade ago after attending a yoga class in Kalamazoo. He is a life-long learner with a passion for nature, and an interest in learning new skills.
Seth has a lifelong passion for birds, and loves sharing his enthusiasm of the bird world with those around him. His interest in birds led him to begin his life list at the age of 10. Seth also volunteers at a local nature center where he monitors nestboxes, as well as volunteers at a bird banding station.