Different opportunities to participate in birding in the field

Ogeechee Audubon Society offers four kinds of opportunities for members to participate in birding in the field:

Bird Walks – Bird walks will be held monthly at various locations to provide an opportunity for birders of all levels to come together.  This self-directed activity and has no defined leader.  Everyone is expected to help each other out as one hones one’s birding skills and identifies birds in the area.  Sometimes when you have to figure it out for yourself – you learn more.  Also, it is a chance to help others learn and to share your joy of birding! Bird Walks are open to public and birders of all skill levels and ages are welcome.
Length of time about an hour.

Field Trips – Field trips are planned leader-directed birding opportunities.  A knowledgeable and experienced leader will assist in spotting and identifying birds in a precise habitat selected for that particular field trip.  The habitat and target birds for the particular area will be outlined in the field trip description.  Field trips provide not only a birding opportunity but present learning opportunities for all especially beginning birders.  Field Trips are open to the public and birders of all skill levels and ages. Length of time 2 to 3 hours.

Surveys – Surveys are conducted to gather data regarding bird populations at a defined time, in a defined area for a defined purpose.  Surveys are more rigorous than bird walks or field trips.  Surveys are conducted with a specific purpose in mind and the data that is collected will be submitted by the survey leader only and shared with the participants.  These surveys are led by a core survey team.  Ogeechee Audubon members are invited to participate in survey activity as citizen scientists and expected to stay for the length of the survey.  Surveys are only open to Ogeechee Audubon Members who register and are confirmed by the Core team prior to each survey.
Length of time will vary but could be as long as 4 hours. 

Counts – Basic bird counts are a good way to estimate population size, detect changes in population size or species diversity. The Christmas Bird Count ( CBC) is a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, performed annually in the early Northern-hemisphere winter by volunteer birdwatchers and administered by the National Audubon Society. The purpose is to provide population data for use in science, especially conservation biology, though many people participate for recreation.

Ogeechee Audubon participates each year in the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count.  The two CBC areas that OAS is responsible for are Harris Neck and Savannah.  Harris Neck survey occurs in late December while the Savannah survey is at the beginning of January.  The public, no matter what birding skill level, is welcome to participate in both surveys. 
Length of time will vary but could be as long as 4 hours.