2026 Field-based Workshops
We're working to finalize additional workshops that you wont want to miss! Dates and times will be updated here once finalized.
Digiscoping
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Presented by Jeff Bouton
Date: Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, May 16 Time: 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. Location: Howard Marsh Metropark - East Unit Parking Lot Fee: $40 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 12 Do you struggle with digiscoping? Jeff Bouton, with Kowa Sporting Optics has been digiscoping for decades and has published numerous images in various birding publications and set a world record, digiscoping 1,050 bird species in a single year! Over the past 2 decades of digiscoping Jeff has made every mistake you can and has learned from each and wants to share what he’s learned with you. Spotting scope photography offers equivalent focal lengths reaching over 5,000 mm lens which is advantageous and challenging at the same time. Join this event and learn to take better images with your smartphone through a spotting scope. Whether you are looking for high-quality publishable images or just want to get better documentation of your daily sightings, Jeff will share key field craft techniques to avoid digiscoping pitfalls. |
Beginning Birding in the Field
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Presented by Cassidy Ficker
Date: Tuesday, May 12 Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Location: Pearson Metropark Parking Lot #4 Fee: $30 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 12 From terminology and identification to practically using binoculars, getting into birding can be overwhelming! Join Cassidy Ficker on this introductory birding excursion to learn the basics of getting started birding. We will cover baselines for beginning to learn identification, getting used to binoculars, and other tips and tricks for planning your birding day. About Cassidy
Cassidy Ficker is a senior veterinary student at the Ohio State University, planning to specialize in companion animals and wildlife when she becomes a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2026. She completed her undergrad at OSU in the spring of 2022 with a major in Animal Sciences and minor in Wildlife Sciences. She has been a birder since third grade, growing up in the Miami Valley Christian Academy Bird Club and Ohio Young Birders Club. One of her favorite aspects of birding is connecting with others as we all celebrate a common love for birds, and she has been honored to have ample opportunities to do this both as the former president of the Ornithology Club at Ohio State and a guide at the Biggest Week in American Birding festival for the past few years. The Biggest Week area is particularly special to her as she serves as an eBird reviewer for the counties. |
Identifying Warblers in the Field
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Presented by Tom Stephenson
Date: Tuesday, May 12 Time: 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. Location: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Parking Lot - West End Fee: $40 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 25 During this workshop we'll discuss the best ways to identify the more challenging warblers and other species we encounter. We'll go over all of the key diagnostic ID points and discuss how these separate them from any possible similar species. We'll also spend time talking about vocalizations and cover a few important strategies for studying and identifying the songs and calls we hear. About Tom
Tom has been birding since he was a kid. His articles and photographs are in museums and many publications including Handbook of the Birds of the World, Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Birds of Madagascar, and Guide to the Birds of SE Brazil. He’s guided many groups in the Americas and Asia, and had the honor of training guides for the government of Bhutan. He’s won categories in the World Series of Birding and holds the US photo big-day record at 208 species. As a musician Tom played concerts and did studio work for many years, worked with several Grammy and Academy Award winners, and performed with members of the NY Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His clients included the Grateful Dead, Phil Collins and the FBI. His latest book, The Warbler Guide, is published by Princeton University Press and won the National Outdoor Book Award. The Warbler Guide App includes 3D rotating models and won the 2015 Design Award for AAUP. He is currently working on five more books and apps for Princeton including a full US field guide app based on the 3D rotation and comparison features in The Warbler Guide app. Tom has a patent on technology to identify animal vocalizations using a wide range of analytic criteria. |
Practical Mirrorless Video Fundamentals for Birders
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Presented by Christopher Travis
Date: Friday, May 15 Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Location: Howard Marsh Metropark - East Unit Parking Lot Fee: $30 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 12 Unlock the full power of your mirrorless camera and start capturing birds like never before. In this hands-on, scenario-based session, you won’t just hear about settings — you’ll see exactly how to use them in real birding situations. From fast-flying warblers to distant raptors, we’ll break down autofocus modes that actually work in the field, when to trust image stabilization (and when not to), and how to get sharp, cinematic footage every time. We’ll also dive into: • Pro-level microphone setups to capture clean bird calls and ambient sound • Smart tripod techniques for long lenses and windy conditions • Real-world video strategies that turn simple sightings into compelling visual stories Whether you’re chasing lifers or building your next YouTube highlight reel, this program will give you the confidence and tools to elevate your bird videography instantly. Come ready to learn. Leave ready to create. About Christopher
Chris is a recently retired Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter pilot who found his passion for birding and technology during his travels around the world. He has flown across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and has enjoyed flying and birding in Japan, Hawaii, Norway, Spain, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and across the United States and Alaska. From a young age, his mother encouraged him to enjoy nature's beauty, and to slow down while paying attention to God's beautiful creation. His wife of 16 years, Janice, is an exceptional ecologist and Bird Guide for Sabrewing Nature Tours. Their joint interest in sharing the outdoors with others will only increase as the years progress. Chris' particular interest in technology, data management and videography began with a simple iPhone, then digiscoping and simple editing, and has since progressed into the Canon and DJI lines of equipment. He is thrilled with how camera technology has developed over time, especially with recent mirrorless technology, and it reminds him of using the F/A-18 radar and Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing System (JHMCS) to find items of interest. Chris is currently employed as an Adversary Fighter Pilot for a U.S. government contractor flying against 4th and 5th generation Navy and Marine Corps squadrons for training. He spends his time outside of flying birding with his wife, editing videos, and marketing for several organizations. Chris believes everyone should find peace and relaxation in nature and the outdoors, and sharing this passion with others is truly a blessing. |
Birding By Ear
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Presented by Alison Kondler
Date: Saturday, May 16 Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Location: Behind Ottawa NWR Visitor's Center Fee: $30 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 12 In this unique listening-focused workshop, you will discover new ways to remember bird sounds, exploring mnemonic visualizations, short stories, sound comparisons, and light comedy that help each call stick in memory. This approach expands your thought processes and trains your brain to listen to bird sounds differently, even if the bird behind the sound isn’t identified. Enjoy a relaxed and inviting setting that sparks creativity and fun. Guided by Alison Kondler, content creator and bird sound specialist known for her ability to imitate bird calls. About Alison
Alison is an Audubon Master Birder, bird guide, and content creator known online as @birding_by_ear. She teaches bird sound identification through mnemonics, shows how to build backyard bird habitats, and inspires others through storytelling and humor to experience the peace that birdwatching can bring. Her work has reached millions across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, and she recently gave a TEDx talk titled How to Speak Bird, presented in Nice, France, now on the TEDx YouTube channel. |