Adult Education: Birding Basics

For several years, we’ve partnered with Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) to offer our Birding Basics adult education program to the Lincoln City community. In 2025, we’re excited to bring Birding Basics to Tillamook in addition to our regular Lincoln City session! Registration is now open for both programs. Please find location-specific course and registration information below.

Birding Basics: Lincoln City

Do you find yourself listening to an odd chirp while walking or gardening? Are you fascinated by the random rustlings in the bushes? Do you notice and enjoy the birds in your world, but wish you knew more about these clever and busy neighbors?

This is just the class for you! Participants will learn how birds behave so it will be easier to find, watch, and identify birds.

Our instructors teach identification, adaptations, and habitat of the birds of the Oregon Coast during this two-week class, which is offered through OCCC twice a year. Participants will have access to bird guides and binoculars, and will learn how to use them. The final day is a practice field trip.

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays June 3-12
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Course fee: $40
Location: Oregon Coast Community College - North Campus (3788 SE High School Drive, Lincoln City)
Registration: Register online through OCCC’s Community Education Program (scroll to find Birding Basics)

Birding Basics: Tillamook

Seven Capes Bird Alliance has teamed up with Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) and Bird Alliance of Oregon to offer its popular Birding Basics Course. This introductory class will especially appeal to new birders in the Tillamook Bay region. The three-week course consists of four meetings with a total of three hours of lecture, plus six hours of field trips, bird walks, and practice provided by seasoned guides. Instructor Gregory Smith has a master’s degree in ecology and evolution; as a field biologist, his research has focused on seabirds. Students will learn about basic bird identification and anatomy, bird adaptations to their habitats, and a variety of resources for sound and visual
species identification.

Dates: May 13, 20, 27, & 30
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Course fee: $65 plus $10 materials fee
Location: Tillamook Bay Community College (4301 3rd St, Tillamook, OR 97141)
Registration: Register for course CED 1004-01 online at tillamookbaycc.edu, call 503-842-8222 x 1125 on Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m., or print and mail a registration form.