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Greg Gillson has been fanatically watching birds since 1972. He began working at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon in November 2009 where he teaches birding classes and leads field trips for backyard bird watchers, beginning, and advanced birding students. To register for classes, call Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department along with the class number at 503-681-5397, or register online at RecXpress. While Greg would like to teach you about birding for free, and take you on all sorts of fun field trips, his continued employment at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is based on bringing in income for the Hillsboro Parks & Rec. Dept. Thus, you will see the odd prices, especially for those living outside of Hillsboro. Greg is confident you will get your money's worth and encourages you to come often... and bring friends! |
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| By Day & Date | Classes | Free Bird Walks |
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Classes: Monday evening May 3 Bird feeders & food May 10 Swallows May 17 Fieldcraft May 24 Warblers June 7 Dozen backyard birds June 14 Another dozen bkyd birds June 21 Yet another dozen bkyd June 28 Seabirds July 12 Hummingbirds July 19 Sparrow ID July 26 Flicker & Acorn Woodpkr Aug 2 Bird photos Aug 9 Bluebirds Aug 16 Fieldcraft Aug 23 Chickadees Aug 30 Seabirds Classes: Tuesday morning May 4 First steps to ID May 11 Optics May 18 Field Guides May 25 Birding techniques Classes: Thursday morning May 27 Swallows w/ walk June 3 Fieldcraft June 10 Bluebirds w/ trip June 17 Optics w/ walk June 24 Field Guides w/ walk July 1 Flicker & Acorn Wd w/ trip July 8 First steps to ID w/ walk July 15 Intro to Sparrows w/ walk July 22 Swallows w/ walk July 29 Fieldcraft Aug 5 Optics w/ walk Aug 12 Field Guides w/ walk Aug 19 Flicker & Acorn Wd w/ trip Aug 26 First steps to ID w/ walk Classes: Thursday afternoon May 20 Bird feeders & food May 27 Dozen backyard birds June 3 Hummingbirds June 10 Another dozen bkyd birds June 17 Warblers June 24 Swallows July 1 Bird feeders & food July 8 Dozen backyard birds July 15 Another dozen bkyd birds July 22 Yet another dozen bkyd July 29 Bird photos Aug 5 Hummingbirds Aug 12 Flicker & Acorn Wdpkr Aug 19 Bluebirds Aug 26 Chickadees Classes: Thursday evening Every week, Starts May 27 Birds this week at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Field Trips: Tuesday June 1 Timber June 8 Hagg Lake June 15 Cooper Mt June 22 Timber June 29 Hagg Lake July 6 Tualatin River NWR July 13 Tualatin Hills NP July 20 Fernhill Wetlands July 27 Timber Aug 3 Fernhill Wetlands Aug 10 Tualatin River NWR Aug 17 Hagg Lake Aug 24 Fernhill Wetlands Aug 31 Tualatin River NWR Field Trips: Thursday Apr 8 Quest for Mt Quail May 6 Tualatin River NWR May 13 Tualatin Hills NP Field Trips: Saturday May 22 Hagg Lake June 19 Fernhill Wetlands July 24 Cooper Mt |
A Dozen Backyard Birds to Know This class leads you through a slide show and discussion of one dozen common backyard birds in our watershed. Greg will answer your questions about the habits and behaviors of your local backyard birds.
#23918 5/27 Thu 1-2 pm
$5/8
#24720 June 7, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24721 July 8, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Another Dozen Backyard Birds to Know You've gotten the first dozen all sorted out, now it's time to learn twelve more! Using slides and discussion Greg will introduce you to twelve more of our backyard neighbors.
#23928 6/10 Thu 1-2 pm
$5/8
#24722 June 14, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24723 July 15, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Yet Another Dozen Backyard Birds to Know By the time you are finished with this class you'll have a better understanding of 36 of our most common backyard birds! Join Greg for a slide show and discussion as he covers the final dozen birds in this series of classes.
#24724 June 21, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24725 July 22, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Hummingbirds Join Greg for a slide show and discussion of our smallest birds. Learn amazing facts about their life history and habits. Bust some myths. discuss the local hummingbirds and how to set up a bird feeder to attract them year around.
#23921 6/3 Thu 1-2 pm
$5/8
#24726 July 12, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24727 August 5, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Bird Feeders and Foods Learn how to set up a bird feeding station and make your backyard attractive, and safe, for birds. You will learn about the different types of feeder designs, how to place them so they attract birds, and what types of food to offer to attract different species.
#24728 5/3 Mon 6:30-7:30 pm
$8/12
#23911 5/20 Thu 1-2 pm
$5/8
#24729 July 1, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Northern Flicker and Acorn Woodpecker Learn about the fascinating life histories of two common local woodpeckers. Though similar in structure, these two woodpeckers are uniquely different in habits and behaviors. This program includes a slide program and time for a discussion.
#24730 July 26, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24731 August 12, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Northern Flicker and Acorn Woodpecker with Field Trip Learn about the fascinating life histories of two common local woodpeckers. Though similar in structure, these two woodpeckers are uniquely different in habits and behaviors. This program includes a slide program and time for a discussion. After the one hour class, we'll take a van to visit Rogers Park and Pacific Univeristy in Forest Grove, where we may view both of these unique species.
#24732 July 1, Thursday
#24733 August 19, Thursday
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-resident
Swallows of Oregon They dive, they swoop, they are the best natural airshow in town! Through a slide presentation and discussion, learn about the status, distribution, nesting habits, and identification of Oregon's seven swallow species.
#24734 May 10, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24735 June 24, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Swallows of Oregon with Bird Walk This class covers the status, distribution, nesting habits and identification of Oregon's seven swallow species. After the classroom presentation, Greg will lead a walk around the ponds at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve to observe Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, and possibly three other species.
#24736 May 27, Thursday
#24737 July 22, Thursday
9:00-11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Improving Your Bird Photos Do you wish you could take better photographs of all the amazing birds you see? Greg can help! Using examples from his own photographs, Greg will discuss the "rules" of bird photography--how to choose light and shooting angles, and how to crop and compose pleasing photos.
#24738 July 29, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
#24739 August 2, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Bluebirds of Oregon Not only are they beautiful, but bluebirds have many interesting behaviors and habits. Greg will present a slide show and discussion of Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds in Oregon. This class includes information on the life history of bluebirds and nest box "bluebird trails."
#24740 August 9, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24741 August 19, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Bluebirds of Oregon with Field Trip Not only are they beautiful, but bluebirds have many interesting behaviors and habits. Greg will present a slide show and discussion of Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds in Oregon. This class includes information on the life history of bluebirds and nest box "bluebird trails." After the class, take a van ride into the nearby Chehalem Mountains to look for Western Bluebirds.
#24742 June 10, Thursday
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-resident
Seabirds of Oregon Off the coast of Oregon, on the outer slope waters of the continental shelf, a variety of seabirds from around the Pacific Ocean gather to feed in the rich waters of the California Current. Join Greg Gillson in this discussion of albatrosses, shearwaters, jaegers, and other seabirds one might view on a "pelagic trip," a guided ocean bird watching trip 20-35 miles offshore to view birds you won't see from the beach.
#24743 June 28, Monday
#24744 August 30, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
An Introduction to Sparrows of Western Oregon Get an overview of all those LBJ's (Little Brown Jobs) that inhabit western Oregon's meadows, forests, and brushy tangles. Learn about plumage topography as it relates to sparrows. After the classroom presentation, Greg will lead the classs on a bird walk at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve to view some of the species just discussed.
#24745 July 15, Thursday
9:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Identification of Oregon Sparrows This class will teach plumage topography as it relates to sparrows and will go in-depth into the status, distribution, and identification of all Oregon sparrows.
#24746 July 19, Monday
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Bird Watching Technique & Etiquette Well, you’ve got your binoculars, your field guide, you know how to use both and you know the basics of identifying birds. Now it is time to learn some basic techniques to help you get closer views of birds without frightening them away. Greg will also cover manners and the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Whether you are out on your own, or with a group of people, knowing the correct etiquette will help enhance your experience, and that of the folks you are birding with or around, not to mention the experience of the birds you are watching. Greg will lead a guided walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve to put all this practical information to use.
#23937 5/25, Tue 9-11
$8/12
Fieldcraft: See more birds than your birding buddies... and at closer range! Use your eyes and ears to be more observant of the birds around you. Learn to interpret bird behavior in order to more closely approach birds without frightening them away. Learn skills to draw birds to you. Let the birds you do see tell you about other birds you don't see!
#24748 May 17, Monday
#24747 August 16, Monday
6:30 - 8:30 pm
#24749 June 3, Thursday
#24750 July 29, Thursday
9:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Warblers of Western Oregon A slide presentation and discussion of the warblers found regularly in the Tualatin Basin. Learn about the status, distribution, habits, and habitats of these beautiful neotropical migrant songbirds in Oregon.
#24751 May 24, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24752 June 17, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Chickadees and Nuthatches of Oregon The life histories and Oregon distribution of three chickadee species and three nuthatch species is discussed in this slide presentation.
#24754 August 23, Monday
6:30 - 7:30 pm
#24755 August 26, Thursday
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $8 Resident
$12 Non-resident
Beginning Bird Watching First Steps to Bird Identification During this class, Greg will cover how to use bird shape and behavior to put you on the correct path to bird identification. This class includes a classroom presentation and a guided walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands so participants can practice their newly-learned bird identification skills.
#23924 5/4 Tue 9-11 am
$8/12
#24756 July 8, Thursday
#24757 August 26, Thursday
9:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Beginning Bird Watching Choosing and Using Birding Optics With so many different name brands, styles, sizes, powers, etc., how can you choose the best binoculars or spotting scope for your particular needs? Greg will help you learn how to use binoculars and spotting scopes, how to judge optical quality and features that are right for you, and put the classroom instruction to use on a guided walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands.
#23931 5/11 Tue 9-11 am
$8/12
#24758 June 17, Thursday
#24759 August 5, Thursday
9:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Beginning Bird Watching Choosing and Using Field Guides Having the correct field guide can make all the difference between frustration and satisfaction in learning to identify birds. Greg will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various field guides, and how to choose the correct one for you. He will also demonstrate how to use a field guide, and lead a walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands so everyone can practice what they just learned in the classroom.
#23934 5/18 Tue 9-11 am
$8/12
#24760 June 24, Thursday
#24761 August 12, Thursday
9:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-resident
Birds this week at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Each week 50 to 80 species of birds are found at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. This evening discussion is designed to help you come back to the Preserve the following weekend and find these birds on your own. Each week the class will spend some time with a slide presentation discussing half a dozen differetn common species at the Preserve. Then we'll go through the list of birds seen this week. You may ask for tips on identification or exact locations within the Preserve where certain birds have been seen. finally, we'll spend a few minutes discussing any rare or target birds you may have on your "wish-list" elsewhere in the Tualatin Basin. We'll also give you a list of expected migrants to watch for in the coming days. Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
#24762 May 27
#24763 June 3
#24799 June 10
#24765 June 17
(no class June 24)
#24766 July 1
#24767 July 8
#24768 July 15
#24769 July 22
#24770 July 29
#24771 August 5
#24772 August 12
#24773 August 19
#24774 August 26
Fee: $10 Resident
$15 Non-Resident
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Wednesday morning bird walk 8:30 - 11:00 am Starts April 21, 2010 Join Greg Gillson for a free bird walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Meet on the deck of the Education Center at 8:30 am. The walk will be liesurely and the terrain is fairly flat. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk will be finished at 11:00 am. No pre-registration is required. If you have questions about the walk, please call Greg at 503-681-6417. |
| Field Trips | ||
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Field Trips With Greg Go birding with Greg Gillson at the best locations for birds each week in the Tualatin Basin. These trips are designed to help you see, identify, and learn about the wide variety of birds in the many varied habitats within the watershed. Expect to walk a liesurely 2-3 miles over uneven gravel or mud trails, rain or shine. Dress appropriately and bring water and snacks. The Tualatin Hills Nature Park and Fernhill Wetlands are the most level and easiest to walk. Timber, Hagg Lake, and Cooper Mountain have more elevation changes. Trips to Timber and Hagg Lake are by 7-passenger van only due to parking restrictions. Other trips have the option of taking the van from Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, or meeting us at each site's main parking area. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge #24775 May 6, Thursday
#24776 July 6, Tuesday
#24777 August 10, Tuesday
#24778 August 31, Tuesday
8:00 - 11:00 am
Meet there
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-Resident
Tualatin Hills Nature Park #24779 (by van) May 13, Thursday
#24780 (meet there)
#24781 (by van) July 13, Tuesday
#24782 (meet there)
Van from Jackson Bottom Wetlands
7:30 - 11:30 am
Meet at the Nature Park
8:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-Resident
Hagg Lake #24783 May 22, Saturday
#24784 June 8, Tuesday
#24785 June 29, Tuesday
#24786 August 17, Tuesday
7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at Jackson Bottom Wetlands
Preserve and travel by van
to Hagg Lake.
Fee: $18 Resident
$27 Non-Resident
Timber #24787 June 1, Tuesday
#24788 June 22, Tuesday
#24789 July 27, Tuesday
7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at Jackson Bottom Wetlands
Preserve and travel by van
to Timber.
Fee: $18 Resident
$27 Non-Resident
Cooper Mountain #24791 (by van) June 15, Tuesday
#24790 (meet there)
#24793 (by van) July 24, Saturday
#24792 (meet there)
Van from Jackson Bottom Wetlands
7:30 - 11:30 pm
Meet there 8:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-Resident
Fernhill Wetlands #24794 June 19, Saturday
#24795 July 20, Tuesday
#24796 August 3, Tuesday
#24797 August 24, Tuesday
Meet at Fernhill Wetlands
8:00 - 11:00 am
Fee: $15 Resident
$22 Non-Resident
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