Coastal Birds for Beginners

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between coastal bird groups
• Know when and where to find different bird species through the year
• Identify the most common coastal bird species through appearance, behaviour and calls

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists. Anyone who is interested in bird watching who would like to improve their skills in identifying coastal birds.

Knowledge Level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors.

Prior Knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is needed for this course, just a willingness to explore and learn. Basic familiarity with bird identification will be helpful but by no means essential.

Accommodation and meal options

For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this only includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee). Please bring your own packed lunch.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for two nights (starting the night before the course) and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the night before the course).

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to enquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Amy Hopley

Amy is a wildlife enthusiast and educator with a background in marine biology and seabird conservation and monitoring. She spent several years working in wildlife conservation, raising awareness to protect coastal habitats from Aberdeen to the Solent, before becoming an educator at Field Studies Council. Now based at Field Studies Council Millport, Amy has the privilege of working beside the Clyde and introducing groups to the wonderful creatures we share the seas and coasts with. Whether observing with binoculars on shore, rummaging around in rockpools, or leading snorkelling groups to explore the world beneath the waves, she is always finding new ways to connect people to nature.

This course will involve both classroom learning and field excursions to cover all of the learning objectives.

If you are not purchasing accommodation, lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided for all.

Example Timetable

(please note that this timetable may change)

Day 1: Exploring the coast of Cumbrae

• Meet at 10am at Cumbrae ferry port – we then walk approx. 3 miles to the centre at a leisurely pace, looking out for birds as we go
• Back at the centre discuss what we saw, then dive a little deeper with a workshop on bird ID including going over bird groups, and how behaviour and calls can aid our ID
• After lunch, we head to the other side of the island, using our new skills to identify waders and wildfowl. Approx 2-3 miles leisurely walk.

Day 2

• We will discuss behavioural adaptations of coastal birds, including breeding and migratory behaviours, and take a walk around the nearby peninsula to look for birds.
• In the afternoon, we will head to the mainland to visit the high tide roost in Fairlie, and have a go at picking out species at a high tide roost in a slightly different habitat. And watch the birds arrive as the tide recedes.

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Lunch and refreshments
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items

If you have them:

• Binoculars/telescope
• Your preferred ID guide (though we can lend these out)

Recommended Literature

• Winter coastal birds
• Summer coastal birds 

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.