Shorebirds are an exciting yet vexing group for birders to identify. At this free virtual event, Jon Dunn and Lara Tseng will discuss sandpipers: not only their identification, but also plumages, structure, molts, behavior, status and distribution. They will also talk about how to look at and study shorebirds – doing so requires some memorization but more importantly patience, love, and understanding of the many varied species in these families.
Jon Dunn coauthored several books with Kimball L. Garrett and Jonathan Alderfer, notably Birds of Southern California: Status and Distribution (1981), the seven editions of The Birds of North America with the National Geographic Society, and Warblers. Jon served for 30 years on the California Bird Records Committee and is a member of the North American Checklist Committee of the American Ornithological Society. He has lived most of his life in California, and developed a fascination with birds at age 8, sparked by the sight of his first male Hooded Oriole.
Lara Tseng is a 15-year-old college student majoring in biology and minoring in bioinformatics. She has conducted research on Western Bluebirds and is very interested in Calidris shorebirds, particularly the Dunlin. Lara hopes to become an ornithologist.
This talk is suitable for all ages. Please register – the Zoom link will be sent in the confirmation. If you have any questions, please contact Sirena Lao, Environmental Education and Outreach Specialist, at [email protected].
This program is made possible thanks to support from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.