Start Birding Outdoors
BIRDWATCHING CLASSES & INDIVIDUAL TUITION
Start Birding classes are aimed at adult beginners and people who are wanting to improve their birdwatching skills. My programme of weekly classes will enable you to observe the seasonal changes and migration of birds in the UK. Classes can be booked individually, they vary in length and are provided during the week and on Saturdays to suit everyone’s situation and time constraints. Groups are limited to 8 people to ensure that everyone has a great learning experience.
Approximate prices for the published trips are as follows. Check out the events page for details:-
- 2 hours – £18 per person
- Half day – from £39 per person
- Full day – from £70 per person
This includes guided birdwatching, bird songs and calls tuition, binocular tuition, learning about different species and their story and, in most cases, the chance to see birds in detail through a high powered telescope. Refreshments and bird lists are also provided. Trips may be more expensive due to distance and whether there are other fees, e.g. for boat trips or entrance fees to reserves.
During the autumn and winter months, Fridays begin with optional breakfast then a later start to the birdwatching class at 10:00. This is to help anyone who is anxious about travelling in icy weather or on dark mornings. Most Friday classes are held in the Lower Aire Valley introducing people to reserves such as St Aidan’s, Fairburn Ings and small local nature reserves managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside Service.
On most occasions, I offer a pick-up point from the Moor Allerton Centre (just off the Leeds outer ring road).
Find out more by contacting linda@startbirding.co.uk
One day taster sessions
From time to time I run one day taster sessions in and around Leeds. A taster day will give you a half day in the classroom followed by an afternoon outdoors putting your learning into practise. Subjects include Tools of the Trade: learning about binoculars and field guides; The Miracle of Birdsong; The Miracle of Migration.
Weekend courses and tours
Check the programme of events for short weekend courses. Three day intensive tours are held in Northumberland, Norfolk, Suffolk and Dumfries and Galloway.
Fast track your learning or design your own birdwatching session
Learn quickly by booking a one-to-one birdwatching class or design your own group birdwatching session for family or friends (up to 8 people).
When you design your own session, you get to choose from a range of habitats such as woodland, wetland, moorland, river bank or coastal cliffs depending on the length of your session. Alternatively, you may want to study a particular group of birds (such as wildfowl, birds of prey or waders), or target a favourite species. Contact me to discuss your preferences or for advice on what would suit your individual ability.
Community groups
If you look after a nature reserve, or you’re part of a group that manages a special place in the Leeds area, then I can provide guided birdwatching walks or surveys for your group. I also run bird song listening events so that you can learn which birds are singing in your area.
Common Questions
- Improve identification skills
- Learn about the birds we see on our scheduled walks
- Learn fieldcraft
- Provide a friendly and supportive learning environment.
Gift Vouchers
Treat someone to a one-to-one birdwatching session or, alternatively, pay for someone to attend a scheduled group walk – prices start at £15.
Gift VouchersLearn Indoors
Look out for my indoor classes which run from September through til April.
Indoor Learning