Indoor Program – Tom Stephenson & Scott Wittle – The Warbler Guide

The Warbler Guide: A New System for Identifying and Learning Vocalizations
Identifying warblers and other species singing in the field is one of the most satisfying aspects of birding, but learning and re- membering the important ID points of bird vocalizations can be a challenge. At this meeting, Tom will cover some new techniques that make it easier to identify singing birds. He will cover how to understand and use sonograms to learn what makes a vocalization unique and how to differentiate similar-sounding species. Based on a system outlined in his new book, The Warbler Guide, Tom will demonstrate how the vocalization ID process can be sped up by understanding a song’s structure, the elements and phrases that make up the song. He’ll also discuss how to make a quick ID using the objective, easy-to-hear qualities of a song and will explain a simple 3-step memorization system he has used many times to memorize 300 or more songs for a trip to a new country.
Scott Whittle has 20 years of experience as a professional photographer and educator.   He has an MFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts, is a fellow of the MacDowell Colony, has held the New York State Big Year record, and has birded throughout the United States.  He lives in Cape May, NJ where he leads workshops and pursues his passion for birds and photography.
A birder since childhood, Tom Stevenson has lectured widely and led numerous trips in the US and Asia. He’s a veteran of the World Series of Birding and his articles and photos appear in many books and magazines. He’s a musician too, having played concerts and done studio work with several Emmy and Oscar winners.