Mass Audubon Society “Shorebirds” with Wayne Petersen - Wayne Petersen- Director of Massachusetts Important Bird Area (IBA) Program discussion: Wings Over the Water – A profile incredible - Presented by Wayne R. Petersen

Every summer the beaches and mudflats of the Atlantic Coast of North America are invaded by thousands of winged migratory shorebirds. These animated travelers are species, many of which begin their life in Arctic and Sub-Arctic areas in distant parts of Canada and beyond that are on their way to coastal areas ranging as far away as the southern coasts of the United States to distant points in Central and South America where they spend the winter.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION: Petersen will offer an overview of the remarkable natural history of some of these awesome migrants, as well as offering pointers on how to recognize many of the more common species, along with describing some of the many conservation challenges currently facing these species both historically and today.

Attendees will be better informed about these remarkable birds as they enjoy Cape Cod’s beaches this summer and will better appreciate why they truly represent an incredible profile.

ABOUT THE PRESENTOR: Wayne Petersen is a noted conservation authority and the Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program at Mass Audubon. During his lengthy tenure at Mass Audubon he co-authored Birds of Massachusetts (1993), Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 1 and 2 (2003, 2013), and wrote a Field Guide to Birds of Massachusetts (2017). Petersen has also lectured extensively and led international birding tours for Field Guides and Mass Audubon, and in 2005 he was the recipient of the American Birding Association’s Ludlow Griscom Award for outstanding contributions in regional ornithology.