"Wood-Warblers:
Presented by:
Daniel Edelstein, M.S.
12 Kingfisher Court, Novato, CA 94949 USA
415-382-1827
(voice and fax)
http://www.warblerwatch.com
http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com
á
Which
SF Bay Area birds are some of
the most challenging to identify by sight and sound in the field and where may
you see them locally?
á
Which
bird family members in the Bay Area dazzle our senses with their elegant array of colors (and how many species
nest here and in your county)?
á
Which
arriving birds in the Bay Area are often considered the most cherished harbingers and symbols of spring?
á
And, last but certainly NOT least: Which Bay Area birds are worth
taking a moment to hear as their songs fill our hearts with joyful feelings --
and we respond aloud: Òbeautiful!Ó
ÒWood-warblersÓ may be
your answer to all of these questions Ð and this one-hour slide show highlights
our petite and colorful songsters whose presence adds a dynamic flair to our
Bay Area birding lives.
In crafting his program to highlight the
wood-warblers in your Bay Area location, Novato-resident Daniel utilizes his
long-time familiarity with the birds in our ÒbackyardÓ and 30+ years of
watching wood-warblers throughout the USA to discuss both common and rare
wood-warblers. In so doing, both
beginning and advanced birding audiences have enjoyed DanielÕs program in 20+
USA states.
Images of wood-warblers and their corresponding
songs complement color-coded range maps that show where each species nests in
the Bay Area and spends the non-breeding season.
In
addition, audiences learn about the lives of various Bay Area wood-warblers Ð
and, in turn, current long-term bird monitoring programs for land
birds/wood-warblers, such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Breeding Bird Census,
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship, and the Christmas Bird Count.
Handouts for this program are
provided for you to duplicate (if you wish) -- including a five-page packet
that features a ÒWarbler Identification Tips ChartÓ and information about
neotropical/wood-warbler monitoring programs in the field for which attendants
may wish to volunteer.
Note the format of this slide show may extend to a longer
presentation and/or a birding outing on the ensuing day (after the slide show)
may be added. Daniel also teaches day-long and weekend classes/workshops
on this topic, if you wish to provide your attendants with both ÒindoorÓ and
ÒoutdoorÓ experiences related to wood-warblers.
In extended
programs/classes/workshops, participants may: 1) view videos/DVDs; 2) watch additional slides;
3) receive informational handouts/bibliographies/resources and discuss them as
complements to slides/videos/DVDs; 4) analyze sonograms of
songbirds/wood-warblers and learn how to ÒreadÓ them and make their own based
on the songs they hear in the field; 5) identify birds and record their songs
in the field, and, afterward, analyze them as when they are converted into
sonograms.
In sum, day-long/weekend classes in the
field focus on distinguishing wood-warblers by their characteristic field mark
differences, but special emphasis is reserved for learning the unique song
pattern each wood-warbler expresses. Toward this goal, I focus both
indoor activities and outdoor trail time on specific techniques that attendants
may wish to employ. Handouts pinpointed toward improving studentsÕ
birding by ear ability are central to DanielÕs teaching style.
Contact Daniel to plan the style and format of the
wood-warbler slide show and/or class you desire.
Biography of Daniel Edelstein:
Birder, Naturalist, Biologist, and published
Science Writer for the last 30 years, Daniel works as a Contract Biologist for
environmental consulting firms. He also teaches in the Oakland, CA-based
Merritt CollegeÕs Biology Department (www.merritt.edu) as an Adjunct Faculty
member. First published in 1981 and the author of two books, his articles have
appeared in science books, magazines, newspapers, science Web sites Ð and, in
addition, Daniel maintains a popular Web site (http://www.warblerwatch.com)
and Blog site titled ÒWarbler WatchÓ (http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com).
Click on "Ecologist/Biologist" at the home page (http://www.warblerwatch.com) to see the resume of Daniel Edelstein.
For more information and/or to obtain references,
please contact Daniel at 415-382-1827 or write him at edelstein@earthlink.net
What
are people saying
about
Daniel & his programs?
(that
he has presented in more than 20 USA states)
ÒDaniel's enthusiasm for warblers is truly
infectious. His Web site and blog
are valuable resources for warbler-watchers everywhere.Ó
- Ken Burton
North
American Banding Council Education Chairman
"Daniel hears (and
identifies) birds that I can't even see!"
- Ron Felzer
Emeritus Instructor in Biology, Forestry and
Environmental Studies, Merritt College, Oakland, California
ÒI thoroughly enjoyed Daniel EdelsteinÕs birding class and greatly
improved my ability to bird by ear! We definitely plan to have him back
to teach again.Ó
- Gary Knoblock
former Executive Director of the Point Reyes
Field Seminars adult school, Point Reyes Station, CA
ÒThank
you for sharing your knowledge with the State Parks interpretive
naturalists. Your expertise was impressive and your presentation was
enjoyable and filled with information. I am sure the State Park staff
will share this knowledge in public programs.Ó
- Estelle Ruppert, Program Specialist, Bureau of
State Parks, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
ÒDaniel has excellent ears and he expertly
knows his birdsÕ songs and calls Ñ and his teaching experience helps others
learn the birds that they hear.Ó
-
the venerable and late Paul G. DuMont, bird tour leader for more than
30 years