B9. New England Bird Behaviors in Fall

Shrinking daylight and cooler temperatures signal an active time of preparation for birds of all species, as nature moves from summer into winter. This course will examine bird behaviors typical of the season, celebrating but not dwelling on bird identification. We will explore a variety of behaviors that can be observed in the fall, as some birds prepare to survive our cold New England winter and others prepare to travel to warmer climates.  We will focus on birds found in New England including raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, owls), waterfowl and wading birds (ducks, geese, herons) and shorebirds (plovers, sandpipers etc).  We’ll look at how birds find food, maintain their plumage, socialize, vocalize, and migrate. Hint - not everyone goes to the tropics!

Instructor - Sheryl Pereira is a Birding Instructor, coordinates Visitor Services, and helps the myriad education programs run smoothly at Mass Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester. She is a longtime naturalist and keeps the sanctuary bird feeders well-stocked. When not birding or working with the public, Sheryl can usually be found teaching her granddaughter about the out-of-doors. Sheryl’s favorite bird is the cardinal, and she has an unusual affinity for horseshoe crabs.