On February 3rd 2026, UNH Cooperative Extension will open registration for the: 2026 INTRODUCTION TO BIRD IDENTIFICATION, ECOLOGY & HABITATS COURSE.
This very popular course is for anyone interested in improving their ability to identify birds by sight & sound and in learning more about bird ecology and the habitats birds require.
Through a combination of Online Lessons and Optional Birding Field Trips, this course will improve your ability to:
- Identify 50 common bird species by sight, songs & calls, habitat, and behavior
- Predict what bird species will occur in different habitat types
- Identify things you can do on your land to attract & benefit a variety of birds
Online Lessons are emailed to you weekly, March 7 – May 29. Each week’s lesson introduces you to 2 to 4 new bird species and includes review quizzes to help you learn each species. You complete the online lessons on your own schedule (there is no meeting time for online lessons), and you have access to course materials until December 31, 2026.
Optional Birding Field Trips will occur April 4 – June 27 at popular birding hotspots and at less-known birding locations throughout NH and into ME, VT, and MA. Birding trips occur during most days of the week and at various times to accommodate most schedules.
This course is led by Matt Tarr (Extension Professor & Wildlife Habitat Specialist, UNHCE) with help from a great team of other experienced birding instructors. This course is co-sponsored by: UNH Cooperative Extension, NH Fish & Game Department, NH Division of Forests & Lands, Harris Center for Conservation Education, Center for Wildlife, Monadnock Bird & Nature Club, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NH Audubon, National Audubon Society, Southeast Land Trust of NH, NH Timberland Owner’s Association, & NH State Parks.
This PDF document provides a complete course description, schedule & list of field instructors.
This course fills up fast, so please plan to register on Tuesday, February 3rd. Email matt.tarr@unh.edu if you would like to receive the registration link that will be emailed on Sunday, February 1st.