My classes will resume in September with Beginning Birding by Ear
Until then keep listening to summer bird sounds!
Try this 5 minute recording from the Diablo Foothills Regional Park. Nothing fancy, but a medley of bird sounds! Headphones work best, but feel free to download recording! Listeing Exercise #2 is minute of dawn chorus, recorder at Tilden Park on 8 May 2010 at 5:55 am! Also download-able!
I encourage birders to take classes from a variety of instructors! Each one may have a way of showing you the birds that will add to your skills and enjoyment. Below are some instructors around the Bay Area that I recommend.
I have either taken classes from the instructors, or have birded personally with them and enjoy their teaching style.
Albany Adult School Birding Classes- Rusty Scalf and Bob Lewis's popular Bay Area Birding classes, as well as classes offered by other fine instructors.
Joe Morlan's Field Ornithology - through City College of San Francisco. Basic bird study, as well as classes focusing on in depth North American bird identification.
Lisa Hug of Sonoma County offers a variety of birding classes through the College of Marin Community College, as well as though other venues.
Rich Stallcup is a one of a kind, world class birder, willing to gently share his vast knowledge, insight, and love of birds with his students. Look for his classes through PRBO Conservation Science, Point Reyes Field Seminars,or anywhere you can find him!
This is just a start! Check out classes on you own and let me know what you think!