Birding & Canoe Retreat

How does spring migration on the Green River in a canoe with a master guide and private mentor sound? The River’s Path and Bird Mentor are partnering to explore a gorgeous section of the Green River, which just happens to be one of the main north-south flyways for many North American waterfowl. This 9-day adventure will transform your relationship with birds and the natural world.

All Skill Levels Are Welcome.

Whether you are brand new to the world of birding or already have a strong base knowledge, you will quickly improve your skills of identification, expand your awareness and repertoire of birdcalls, as well as deepen your connection with those eloquent feathered ones during this canoe trip down Utah’s beautiful Green River.

Each morning will begin with a dawn bird sit followed by either a leisurely float down the river, a hike into ancient canyons, solo time to reflect and soak in the majesty of where you are, or a few hours of thorough instruction in the “Art of Questioning and Observation”; the key to identifying a bird by the flick of its tail, the signature swoop it makes in flight or its distinctive silhouette atop a far off tree.

Dates
April 21-29, 2018

Pricing

$1,495 per person

Payment Plan

Available upon request

Deposit

50% nonrefundable deposit is due upon signup.  

The full payment is due 4 weeks before the trip.

Your Dynamic Guides

Kristi Dranginis & Lauren Kovsky

Topics Covered:

  • The 7 Questions to Mastering Bird Identification
  • Unpacking Sound – How to Learn & Remember Bird Song/Calls
  • Deep Bird Language – The 5 Voices of Birds
  • The Who, What, Where of Bird Tracking
  • Becoming A-Part of the Forest
  • Baseline Behavior – Basic? Not Quite!
  • Predators & The 5 Shapes of Bird Alarm

All skill levels are welcome.
The only requirement is a desire to learn more about birds and to connect with lovely people in a lovely setting. 

Throughout the week we will also delve into the topics of:

  • deep bird language
  • bird behavior
  • habitat
  • field-marks
  • posture
  • size & shape
  • tracks
  • song

You will have plenty of time to practice the new skills you are learning each day with the support of a dedicated mentor. Devoted time like this is an amazing way to learn the secrets of birding, as well as to hone and become more adept with the skills you already possess.

More About Your Bird Guide

Your guide, Kristi Dranginis, has been a birder for 25 years. She is the founder of BirdMentor.com where she teaches advanced birding skills, bird language and deep nature connection to people all around the world.  She is known for igniting curiosity, child-like passion and building confidence in her students.

She leads birding courses at primitive skills events like Rabbit StickWinter CountSaskatoon Circle, The 4 Corners Earth Skills gathering and for organizations like the Boulder Outdoor Survival School & The Powerhouse Science Center.  Kristi is also a Field Ornithologist, naturalist, herbalist, and professional photographer.

Kristi is a conspirator on the Dipper Project, a research project established in 2015 to study the effects of the Gold King Mine spill on the avian world.  She also leads birding tours for the Mesa Verde Bird Festival, the Durango Bird Club and private groups around the 4 corners region.

She has volunteered at bird banding projects on Great Gull Island, focusing on the Roseate & Common Terns, as well as migratory birds at Oxbow Preserve and hummingbirds at Mesa Verde National Park.

Ready To Do Some Bird Watching On The Green River?

Reserve your spot today!