Birder's Certificate Program - Online and in the Field

Take your birding skills to a new level! The Birder's Certificate Program (BCP) for Mass Audubon members has been offered annually since 2004. The program is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs to the birdwatching community. The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course.

Eleven monthly lectures and field sessions cover a wide range of subject matter, including avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments for each module. A twelfth module involves a volunteer service-learning project. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement and a BCP binocular harness.

Course Goals:

• Build a strong ornithological knowledge base
• Demonstrate ways birders can contribute to the scientific study of birds
• Contribute to the conservation of birds and to the protection of the nature of Massachusetts
• Encourage closer collaboration between birders and professional ornithologists
• Develop a cadre of skilled volunteers
• Provide professional development opportunities for Mass Audubon staff

The online lectures and virtual classroom are designed to be used on Microsoft Teams, which is free to download. An email reminder and link will be sent 48 hours before the program starts. A desktop or laptop (Mac or PC) is recommended for full functionality and best results. With tablets or phones, you may have trouble accessing the virtual classroom and program materials. You should download and install the Teams app for full functionality - using Teams in the browser is not recommended. If you are planning to use a computer owned by another organization (such as a work or school device), you may encounter security or firewall issues that will need to be addressed by that organization's IT department. Mass Audubon is not able to assist with issues involving another organization's settings.

The in-person field sessions associated with each module will be carried out primarily in Essex County on the Sunday morning following each lecture. Please note that dates are subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances.

2025-2026 SCHEDULE:

August 23, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Systematics and Nomenclature with Bill Gette

August 24, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

September 13, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Evolution and Speciation with Martha Gach

September 14, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

October 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Field Identification with Wayne Petersen

October 19, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

November 15, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Bird Conservation with John Herbert

November 16, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

December 6, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Anatomy with TBD

December 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

January 17, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Feeding Ecology with Correne George

January 18, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

February 21, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Feathers and Flight with Scott Santino *President's Day holiday is February 16, 2026

February 22, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Field Session

March 21, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Migration with Bill Gette

March 22, 2026, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

April 18, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen

*Easter Sunday is April 5

April 19, 2026, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

May 9, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen

May 10, 2026, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

June 6, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00 pm / Online Lecture: Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan

June 7, 2026, 8:00 am-12:00 pm / Field Session

Cancellation policy:

A nonrefundable nontransferable $150 deposit due at time of registration. Balance is due in full 30 days prior to first class. Students have up to three years to complete course work. Refunds will not be made during the class year.

For more information, visit www.massaudubon.org/birderscertificate.