Advanced Birding Series: Fall Migration Identification Challenges with Alex Patia

Advanced Birding Series: Fall Migration Identification Challenges with Alex Patia Sunday, October 18th, 7-9:30 am $35/member, $50/non-member. Trip difficulty: Easy.

Walking distance: About 1.3 miles. Trip Duration: 2-2.5 hours.

Elevation gain: None. Ground condition: Groomed gravel trails.

Drinking water and restrooms available at the park’s entrance. Benches are available at periodic intervals around the wetlands.

October is peak fall migration activity at Sweetwater Wetlands! Fall migration is regarded by many birders as the best time of year given it is longer than spring migration, birds tend to linger longer at stop over sites, the overall volume of birds is much higher, and the chance of rare/ unusual birds is greater.

Autumn is not without its challenges though as the vast majority of birds are either in juvenile or non-breeding plumage that makes them difficult to recognize. In this workshop we will take time to study the birds we are seeing, in particular how to distinguish different warblers and sparrows, and try to find ones that stand out.

The combination of both returning winter residents and fall migration makes this a great time of year to visit Sweetwater Wetlands and find something unexpected. Limited to 12 participants.

Sweetwater Wetlands is located at 2511 W Sweetwater Dr. Leader: Alex Patia Header image: Red-naped Sapsucker by Joan Gellatly