To help protect Important Bird Areas, local volunteers are needed to monitor populations of nesting, migrating, or winter bird species. The science of bird monitoring often includes the use of point counts and other methods that require a high level of skill – whether birders are volunteers or paid technicians.

To address this growing need, Audubon Pennsylvania, DCNR, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission teamed up to offer training on survey methods and bird identification. This training is geared to adult birders who already have solid abilities in bird identification, particularly visual ID.

Birder Workshops focus on how to do "point counts," strategies on counting and estimating bird numbers, challenging bird ID topics (such as flycatchers, raptors, etc.), and improving birding by ear skills.

Workshops are offered twice a year in different parts of the state. If you would like to be notified of a future workshop, contact one of the IBA staff (see our staff listing here).