Birding by Ear

Saturday, May 10th, 2025
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Tuition: $26

The many and varied habitats of the Superior National Forest are home to a multitude of Neotropical migrants – birds that nest here in the summer and spend their winters in the New World tropics. Birds such as two dozen different kinds of warblers, several species of vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and even raptors arrive from late April to early June to find mates and set up shop to raise young. And let’s not forget our resident chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, ravens, crows, and jays who add their unique vocalizations to the mix!

In this class we get to know them by their vocalizations – the songs and calls they use to communicate between and across species – by going to where they live and simply listening and watching in a focused manner for a couple of hours in a series of Saturday morning outings throughout May. The cast of characters changes each week with new arrivals and some departures. 

Whether you attend one or all, the goal is for you to be able to identify and get to know a few of the songsters that make up the melodic milieu of the Northwoods.

Meet at the Ely Visitor Center, junction of Sheridan St. and Hwy. 1

About your instructor: Steve Engel has been an avid student of birds since 1985. He has conducted birding by ear field research and for six years led spring birding by ear outings for the public in Oregon. This will be his fifth spring season offering of Birding by Ear in the Northwoods. 

Steve has a BS in Natural History from Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington. He has worked as an environmental educator, field biologist, shipboard naturalist, natural history trip leader, education director, program supervisor, artist, and writer. He enjoys being outdoors and helping others discover answers to all their Natural History questions.