FEATURED
North American Wildlife Tracker Conference 2023
STILL AVAILABLE! The 2023 online North American Wildlife Tracker Conference took place on MArch 18-19, 2023, BUT you can still register and access all 27 presentations. The conference brought together certified trackers, wildlife professionals, and tracking enthusiasts for two days of virtual presentations, panel discussions and community-building.
The conference platform (including recordings of all presentations) will be open for 3 months after the conference weekend, so you can catch up on all of the sessions you miss!
Presentation List | Presenter Bios | Conference Schedule
IN-PERSON CLASSES
Wouldn’t you like to be able to understand what the birds are telling you or are saying about you? Join seasoned bird language expert and bird mimic Dan Gardoqui for this webinar that will give you the tools to decode nature’s language. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, tune in your senses and understand the five voices of backyard birds. Come learn to speak bird!
FREE & Open to the Public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED (see link at bottom)
This event is sponsored by the Mahoosuc Land Trust (please consider making a donation).
Would you like to be able to understand what the birds are telling you or are saying about you? Did you know that we’re the only species not tuned into wild conversations happening in your own backyard? Join bird language expert and bird mimic Dan Gardoqui for an engaging presentation that will give you the tools to decode nature’s language. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, tune in your senses, understand the five voices of backyard birds and much more. Come learn to speak bird!
Free & Open to the Public
This program will take place in person at the D.A. Hurd Library in North Berwick, Maine.
Expert bird mimic Dan Gardoqui will help you connect with birds you can’t see by getting to know their songs and calls (as well as what they’re saying). In this program, we’ll do a little exploring on foot, but a lot more listening with our ears. Dan can help you learn the calls by mimicking them for the group as you hear and see the actual birds in the field. If you’re experienced with visual bird identification, this course will be a good next step in building your birding skills. All are welcome.
The Wells Reserve is co-hosting this program with partner York County Audubon.
The Place: Birders are enchanted by the joy and beauty of autumn bird migration on Monhegan Island. Late September is peak raptor migration on Monhegan. Coupled with dozens of other southbound warblers, sparrows, vireos, waterfowl and more – a good birding day on Monhegan gives you the impression you have gone to birding heaven! This charming and rugged island is inhabited, yet wild. It has drawn artists and lobstermen, and during the few short weeks of peak migration, it is a migrant trap for birders, too. Both fish and bird stories are swapped each evening at the local brewery or over a spectacular sunset. Our group will explore and wander in search of birds and the island’s natural beauty. Some hikes traverse varied terrain, but all walks are optional, and the best birding is in the village.
Lodging & Meals: We all stay at the iconic Trailing Yew, where a full breakfast is included daily. Rooms are simple, but charming. Bathrooms are shared. Your trip fee includes dinner each night (excluding alcohol): Lunches are not included in the trip fee and you’ll be on your own. There are options to buy sandwiches, pizza, salads, soups, etc. Picnic lunches are encouraged (the porch & lawn of the Trailing Yew are nice). Alcohol (beer, wine, etc) can be purchased on the island and should not be brought onto the island.
Guides: Having two skilled bird & nature guides is unusual on most birding tours. With a max size of 12 clients, you’re guaranteed ample personal attention and customized learning.
- Phil Brown is a lifelong bird enthusiast and stellar naturalist who has traveled extensively to study and appreciate birds and natural places, but equally enjoys exploring close to home. With many Monhegan trips under his belt (both spring & fall), Phil is a patient, gentle and extremely knowledgeable teacher with an eye and ear for birds like very few others. He is the Bird Conservation Director and Land Specialist for the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Phil resides in Hancock, NH with his family.
- Dan Gardoqui has been teaching, guiding, playing and learning from the more-than-human-world for 30+ years. Known for his passionate teaching style and bird mimicry skills, Dan welcomes curiosity and questions to facilitate deep nature connection in his fellow humans. He’s led multiple trips to Monhegan, but can’t wait to discover more hidden secrets! Dan’s certifications include: Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Aid and Certified Wildlife Tracker. He lives with his family in the Agamenticus region of southern Maine.
Trip Fee: Your trip fee includes: round-trip ferry passage from Port Clyde, Maine; 4 nights lodging and breakfasts at the Trailing Yew; 4 dinners; and 5 full days of expert guiding from two seasoned guides; and a donation to Monhegan Associates for island stewardship work.
Birds are talking about us. Want to learn what they’re saying?
Until quite recently, most humans were in tune with the language of birds. Somewhere along the way, most modern humans stopped paying attention to the birds and lost this vital connection to the more-than-human world.
Spend the morning exploring the Eastern Promenade of Portland, Maine with bird-whisperer Dan Gardoqui. This walk will value quality interactions with birds over quantity (e.g. collecting a big list of species). You’ll learn about the 5 voices of birds as well as practices that will help you better connect with birds. This workshop is a collaborative effort of ReWild Maine & Lead with Nature. A portion of the proceeds supports the important work of ReWild Maine.
Are you looking to solidify your skills as an educator or guide? Maybe you’re not interested in teaching, but want to enhance your skills for yourself? Come and take this two-day deep-dive in the world of wildlife track and sign and experience the industry standard for certifying wildlife trackers.
Learn to recognize tracks of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates on your landscape, and to interpret animal movement and behavior by. During the weekend, there’s ample time for thoughtful review of all topics covered. Improve your wildlife tracking and ecology skills and hopefully take home a certification! All skill levels are welcome.
To learn more about the certification process visit www.TrackerCertification.com. Participants scoring 70% or higher will earn a certification from Cybertracker North America.
Instructor: Nate Harvey is a fabulous educator. He works for CyberTracker Conservation, running both Trailing and Track & Sign evaluations and workshops. Additionally, he teaches wildlife trailing in workshops near his home in southern Vermont and around the country. To learn more about Nate and his work visit his website.
ONLINE CLASSES WITH DAN
This 4-week online journey focuses on how to understand and communicate with birds. Experience unique, interesting and engaging lessons with bird language expert, Dan Gardoqui. Each week, Dan shares content, stories, tips as well as provide guidance, challenges and assignments (optional) to your “flock.”
- Live, interactive sessions with Dan & your classmates (join live OR watch on your own time 24/7)
- Personalized connection with an expert naturalist and ecologist
- True Stories of how listening to birds can clue you into other wildlife
- Anytime Access to recordings of our live sessions
- Exclusive content on a dedicated course page
- Optional Assignments & Challenges that will push you further
- Private Student Page & Group Forum for 24/7 access to learning
Class size is limited to ensure attention and mentoring from Dan. Each session will include: new content and stories; student updates; and guidance, challenges and assignments (optional) for the class.
Details
- Dates: WEDNESDAY evenings, April 26th, May 3rd, 10th & 17th 2023
- Times: Live sessions run from 7:00-8:30pm (eastern time) via Zoom (join live or watch later)
- Access: Registered students access a course page with bonus materials
- Tuition: ON SALE for $119 (usually $150)
Can’t make it in person to study wildlife tracking? Live too far from the usual workshop places? Sign up for one (or more) of these affordable, monthly wildlife tracker training sessions focusing on the tracks and sign of mammals, birds, herptiles and invertebrates. Originally designed to prepare those with an upcoming wildlife track and sign evaluation, these classes are useful to anyone brushing up on their wildlife tracking skills. The classes give provide breadth (many track and sign pics) an depth (deep dive natural history & stories).
Details
- Length: Each class recording is a 90-minute lesson, facilitated by Dan & Bill.
- Cost: only $20 per session! Get yours now!
Trainers: Dan Gardoqui of Lead with Nature has been training and mentoring wildlife trackers for over 20 years. He is an expert naturalist, bird language specialist and registered Maine Guide. Bill Marple has trained trackers for nearly two decades, mostly via the Tracker School and the United State Marine Corps, where he served for 8 years. Both Bill & Dan are dedicated to passing on the skills of tracking through their work.
Bird Migration: An Epic Journey
Check Back in Spring of 2023 for Next Class Dates
Come join Dan as he shares his passion and knowledge about the feats, perils and fascinating facts regarding bird migration. Content will include bird natural history; fall raptor migration identification tips; a deep dive on a weekly focal species’ migration story; and much more.
This course involves both live online sessions as well as opportunities in-between classes for more learning. Join weekly sessions live (via Zoom) and/or watch the recordings at your leisure.
Ever wonder how millions of birds successfully prepare for and survive one of the most amazing feats of nature year after year? BIRD MIGRATION is truly Epic Journey.
- Live, interactive sessions with Dan & your classmates (optional)
- Personalized connection with an expert naturalist and birder
- True Stories of Migration that will expand your mind and awareness.
- Anytime Access to recordings of our live sessions.
- Exclusive content on a dedicated course page.
- Optional Assignments & Challenges to push you further.
Details:
- Dates: 2023 Dates not yet released
- Times: Live sessions run from 7:00-8:30pm EST – Wednesday Evenings.
- Access: Registered students access a course page with bonus materials
- Tuition: $149
Each class session will include: up-to-date curricular content, first-hand stories; bird migration updates; and guidance, challenges and assignments (optional) for the class.