Birding 101
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Interested in birding but not sure where to begin? If so, please join us on Saturday, April 3 and November 13, at 8:30 am, for Birding 101, an introductory class taught by the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Association (CTOS). They’ll share with us the foundational skills you’ll need to observe and identify birds, including how best to use binoculars, field guides, smartphone apps, and your eyes and ears. The class will include a short walk around Crabtree Farms to put to use what you’ve learned. If you have them, bring a field guide (Sibley, Peterson, e.g.), binoculars, and smartphone; otherwise, we’ll have binoculars and guides for your use.
About the Facilitator
OJ Morgan has been birding for about 15 years. He retired as the head of Bright School, where he worked for 17 years, after 25 years teaching at Baylor School. Although humbly titling himself an amateur birder, he states he has been fortunate in being able to follow birds in his travels, not only throughout the Southeast, but also in South Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Egypt. “It’s just something I love, but I sure could have used a kickstart at the beginning, which I hope this Birding 101 class will offer novices. Otherwise, you’re left to figure it out on your own. CTOS has helped immensely as well. It’s been a fabulous place to meet highly experienced birders, who all have been wonderful teachers.”
On August 19, 1953, Adele West organized the Chattanooga Bird Study Group. She hoped the group would become affiliated with the state-wide Tennessee Ornithological Society. The group had 21 charter members.
The Chattanooga Bird Study Group participated in their first Christmas Count on December 20, 1953. The circle monitored was 7.5 miles in radius and 48 species counted. The data was turned into the National Audubon Society, becoming part of their 54th Annual Christmas Bird Count report.
In January of 1954 the Chattanooga Bird Study Group petitioned the Tennessee Ornithological Society to become a chapter. Two months later they were instilled as the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.
The Chapter hosts several activities each month. The activities include various field trips, wild bird surveys, as well as hosting a speaker each month at our Chapter meeting.
The Chapter holds regular meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, at 7:00 pm, at the Ascension Lutheran Church 720 Germantown Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37412. Chapter members hail from Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Join Us:
Not an experienced birder? Our chapter is welcoming and happy to help novices and experts alike! If you are interested in birds, please free to attend any event listed below. Just stop by and introduce yourself! (All our members wear name tags at our monthly meetings to make potential new members feel welcome.) Everyone is welcome to join. We hope to see you soon.
