by Paul J. Baicich
![]() http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2189143.png> Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
Why does it seem that every third or fourth birding festival and nature-center seasonal program we see offers a bird-watching session with "Beginning Birding" or "Birding 101" in its title? Do these offerings really inspire newcomers to sign up? Particularly the adult newcomers? These billings might not be the most effective ways to attract people to bird study.
Sometime, just sometimes, the very word "beginning" or "beginner," or even the primer-phrase "101" can be perceived by the uninitiated as a bit of a put-down. Under these circumstances, it might be wise to simply avoid these words. Just because the words have practically become standardized doesn't automatically mean that they are the best.
Besides, what may seem perfect for youngsters may be totally inappropriate for adults.
Consider this: adults may have gone through 30, 40, or more years being generally aware of birds, having watched hours of Nature, having annually hosted a feeding station in the backyard, and being basically aware of the characteristics differentiating herons, hawks, geese, and chickadees. These adults are not total beginners at all.
As bird educators, we should assume that our adult students usually have more-than-rudimentary knowledge when it comes to birds. In fact, it's actually up to us to bring that knowledge to the fore and to call up valuable life experiences and observations. Don't presume that you're dealing with blank slates, empty vessels or worse. It really doesn't help.
Presenting bird-identification skills, birds as a representation of nature as a whole, and bird-conservation issues as people-conservation issues can all be done without dismissing the knowledge already held by adult students. And never assume that bird ID is the only - or even the most important - objective.
Rather than "Beginning Birding" or "Birding 101," you might consider starting with calling the session or class "Breaking into Birding" (a la the Audubon Hog Island camp this year) or "Discovering Birds," or "Birds: Beyond the Backyard," or "How to Know the Birds."
In summary, adults may already know a lot about birds, conservation, sustainability, and responsible stewardship. Start by giving them the benefit of the doubt, and proceed accordingly.
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Formerly with the American Birding Association, Paul J. Baicich edited 14 ABA Birdfinding Guides, and Birding, ABA's bi-monthly magazine, while serving as ABA's Director of Conservation and Public Policy. He co-authored (with the late Colin Harrison) A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds (1997). Paul also has co-led a number of birding tours and workshops to Alaska. Among his many other activities, he has recently worked for the National Wildlife Refuge System as a consultant on issues of popular birding and parallel refuge receptiveness. In addition, he co-edits (with Wayne Petersen) the popular monthly Birding Community E-bulletin. This article earlier appeared in the Birding Education Network (BEN) Bulletin.
