Hear the Unseen: A Birding-by-Ear Workshop with Jason “the Birdnerd” at Rowe Sanctuary

GIBBON WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE

Hear the Unseen: A Birding-by-Ear Workshop with Jason “the Birdnerd” at Rowe Sanctuary

A focused, 1.5-hour session in Gibbon that teaches how to identify birds by song and call—ideal for learning to find birds in dense cover and low light.

Check availabilitySee guide details

Hear the Unseen: A Birding-by-Ear Workshop with Jason “the Birdnerd” at Rowe Sanctuary.

Duration
1.5 hours
Location
Gibbon
Operator
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Category
Workshop
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

At the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, the Birding by Ear Workshop teaches birders to shift attention from plumage to sound. Led by Jason “the Birdnerd” St. Sauver, the session sharpens the ear for songs and calls so participants can locate and identify birds that are otherwise hard to spot.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE INSTRUCTOR

Learn from a recognized educator and birding-by-ear expert

Jason St. Sauver came to Audubon after a decade with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has led education programs across Nebraska, and was named Audubon’s 2018 Chotzen Educator of the Year—locally known as a birding-by-ear expert.

THE SKILL

Identify birds by song and call

The workshop focuses on using vocalizations as field marks—learning songs and calls that often reveal species more reliably than fleeting visual cues.

THE PRACTICE

Find birds in dense cover and low light

Tuning your ear to a bird’s song helps locate individuals hidden in brush or active at dawn and dusk, making vocal recognition a practical complement to visual identification.

What the day feels like

How the workshop feels

This compact, instructor-led session combines listening practice and guided identification, with emphasis on songs and calls that serve as reliable field marks. Over approximately 1.5 hours attendees build skills that make it easier to detect and confirm birds when visibility is poor or birds remain concealed.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who gets the most from this session

1
Aspiring birdersIdeal for birders who want to add vocal recognition to their identification toolkit and learn methods to locate birds by sound.
2
Experienced birdersExperienced observers can refine and expand their ear for regional songs and calls under an expert instructor.
3
Educators & studentsSuitable for teachers and students interested in structured instruction on bird vocalizations and field techniques.
4
Participants needing accommodationsAccessibility requests can be made during registration—notify the operator in advance so the workshop can accommodate special needs.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

The workshop runs about 1.5 hours.

Cost & Registration

Cost is $10 plus fees; registration is required.

Meeting Point

Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840.

Arrival & Accessibility

Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early. Please indicate any accommodation requests when registering.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

When should I arrive?

Please plan to arrive 10–15 minutes prior to your start time.

Where does the workshop meet?

Meet at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840.

How long is the workshop?

The session lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Is registration required and how much does it cost?

Yes—registration is required; cost is $10 plus fees.

What if I need accessibility accommodations?

Please indicate requests for accommodations when registering so the operator can assist.