Due to the impact of COVID-19 GGAS has cancelled all spring classes. If you have signed up for one of our spring courses, please expect a full refund within the coming weeks. The $5 cancellation fee will be waived.
Improve your birding skills — or get started in birdwatching with some friendly, expert help! Golden Gate Audubon offers classes for all levels of birding experience. Please register for our classes online (easy and fast). If you don’t have access to a computer, call our office at (510) 843-2222 and we will return your call as soon as possible.
CANCELLATION POLICY: As a small organization with limited office staff, it is challenging for us to handle last-minute cancellations. If you need to cancel, we will refund your registration fee if :
(1) You withdraw more than two weeks before the start of the class, AND(2) We can fill your spot with someone from the class waiting list.Please note that there will be a $5 cancellation fee to cover the credit card transaction costs for your sign-up and cancellation.
For information on GGAS classes at the Lake Merritt Rotary Nature Center go to https://goldengateaudubon.org/classes-rnc/
Fall 2020 Online Birding Classes
Classes via Zoom presentation, no field trips
Evolution of Birds
August 25 to September 29
A science-based course for curious adult learners who have some birding experience.
The focus is on avian evolution – including the scientists whose work has led to the modern theory of evolution, the evolutionary processes that have resulted in over 10,000 species of birds today, and the geological events that have been much of the cause of today’s avian multitude. From dinosaurs in Pangea to mountains rising in California, we’ll cover 100 million years of the earth’s history, ending with California’s remarkable birdlife – all in six weeks. PDFs of the Powerpoint slides will be available after the presentations.
- Six (6) Tuesday evening classes by Zoom, August 25, September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 7 to 9 pm
- Instructors: Bob Lewis and Bruce Mast
- $75 for GGAS members, $110 for non-members
- Limited to 95 participants
- Registration opens on June 3rd. Click here to register online
Introduction to Avian Anatomy and Physiology
Maureen Lahiff
Six (6) Tuesdays, Oct 6 to Nov 10, 7 to 9 pm. $75 for GGAS members. Registration will open: TBD.
Writing about Birds
Eric Schroeder
Five (5) Wednesdays, Oct 7 to Nov 4, 7 to 9 pm. $50 for GGAS members. Registration will open: TBD.
In person at the Oakland Rotary Nature Center (Lake Merritt)
Nature Journaling in the Heart of Oakland
Clay Anderson
Monthly on Saturday mornings (the 2nd Saturday of each month) from September 2020 through June 2021, 8:30 to 10:30 am, $175 GGAS members and Oakland residents. Registration will open TBD .
Classes via Zoom presentation, with small group field trips, conditions permitting
Please note: We are holding off on registration until September, when we hope to have more information about field trip possibilities. Classes will be split into smaller groups for field trips if field trips are possible.
Birding for Fledglings
Dawn Lemoine
Six (6) Wednesdays, Oct 14 to Nov 18, 7 to 9 pm with 3-4 field trips each weekend. $125 for GGAS members.
Advanced Beginning Birdwatching
Anne Hoff,
Six (6) weeks, other details TBD, with 2 field trips each weekend. $125 for GGAS members.
Avian Adventures in the Bay Area
Miya Lucas and Wendy Beers
Five (5) weeks, other details TBD, with 2 field trips each weekend. $100 for GGAS members.
Birding by Ear
Denise Wight
Six (6) Thursdays, Oct 1 to Nov 5, with 2 field trips each weekend, Saturdays 8−10 am and 10 am− 12 noon. $125 for GGAS members.
Shorebirds and Waterbirds in Winter
Maureen Lahiff
Four (4) Wednesdays, Nov, 4, 11,18 and Dec 2, 7 to 9 pm, with 2 field trips each weekend. $85 for GGAS members.