Taking Flight: An Introduction to the World of Birds - Trips & Courses

Read about CAU on-campus programs and the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Discover the joy of birds & birdwatching

Come explore avian biology and learn what makes birds so fascinating!

Our knowledgeable guide, Jen Walsh, will lead us on early morning bird walks at Cornell's 220-acre Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, where we can expect to see a wide variety of birds, from the tiny Ruby-Throated Hummingbird to the Pileated Woodpecker.

We'll also make an excursion to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a major destination along the New York State-designated Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway.

Note: This class meets early mornings for optimal birdwatching. Transportation to and from Cornell's Lab of Ornithology will be provided.

Why vacation with CAU this summer?

Course highlights

Explore the woods, marshes, and ponds on the grounds of the famed Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Tour the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates.
Enjoy an excursion to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, home to a variety of waterfowl, marsh and water birds, and shorebirds, as well as bald eagles.
Learn about the habits, habitats, color, and song of a wealth of birds.
Participate in hands-on activities such as banding.

Faculty experts

Experts in their fields, the faculty who design and lead CAU's summer classes know their subjects inside and out. From Cornell presidents and administrators to distinguished faculty and leaders in university athletics and the arts, these engaged and dynamic teachers are passionate about sharing their expertise with you. Thanks to them, you can return to the classroom, without the stress of tests, simply for the joy of learning.

See faculty

Jen Walsh

Fuller Evolutionary Biology Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Participant experiences

"Taking Flight was well organized and paced for balancing information with field time. The professor was knowledgeable, willing, and patient with the entire class of students. I now have the resources he provided to us to continue to learn on my own."

"This course far exceeded my expectations. Our teacher was fun, patient, and interested in providing us with information and experiences that make for a well-rounded course. I’m able to bring a lot of materials from this course back to my own students."