Wildfowl and Waterbirds Identification Masterclass

By the end of the course, the participants should feel more confident in the identification of ducks, geese and swans, divers, grebes, Shag and Cormorant, in particular those seen in the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding area.

As well as specific help with identification we will cover the ‘how to do it.’ In this way, participants should see a way forward in how to improve their identification skills and have some useful hints and tips on telling difficult species apart.

Summary

• The course will be based in the Cairngorms National Park and run over two days
• It will particularly cover those species of ducks and geese that can be difficult to identify with a focus on those species found in the Cairngorms National Park.
• The ‘classroom day’ will cover various aspects of wildfowl recognition including plumage, structure and flight plus a focus on how to tell more difficult species apart and other useful hints and tips. It will cover winter plumage of divers and grebes and eclipse plumage in ducks.
• The field day will be out in suitable habitat for a selection of species to put into practice what was learned the day before.
• Please note that the course does not cover gulls, waders, herons and egrets or crakes, however, a number of these species are covered in our Waders Masterclass, date tbc.

Course Schedule

• The course will take place on 30 Nov-1 Dec 2022 with the classroom day on day one and field day on day two.