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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Lectures
What if I have to miss a lecture? Can I still get the handouts? Are there still class DVDs and videos?
A If you are enrolled in the lectures section and must miss a Wednesday evening lecture, you can certainly ask for any handouts that you missed, and we will provide them. Supplemental information and handouts may also be available on the class website. Videos and DVDs of lectures from previous years are also available to borrow for free from the Wild Birds Unlimited store here at the Lab. You may also be able to view some of commercial videos shown before the lectures at the Lab's Adelson Library during their regular hours.
Can I switch field trip days from week to week once I've chosen which weekend day I'd like to attend?
A: Because we try hard to keep groups small, we ask that you do NOT switch field trip days from week to week once you have been assigned to a group. Check with the Course Coordinator if you have a special situation.
If I do not have a vehicle can I still sign up for the field trips section?
A: Because we have many volunteer drivers with vehicles, it is not necessary to have a vehicle to sign up for field trips. We do try to do as much carpooling as possible for our field trip excursions.
Regarding the Woodcock/Owl Watch (special Tuesday evening) trip? Can I attend if I am a lectures participant only?
A: Yes! The Tuesday evening Woodcock/Owl trip is open to ALL current SFO participants (including lecture section participants).
If I just want to take the Field Trips section and not the Lectures section, will I miss out on a lot?
A: Although we feel your learning experience would be greatly improved by taking BOTH the Lectures and Field Trips sections together, you do not have to take both sections of the course in order to learn about the birds of this area, as either section of the course can stand on its own.
Can I sign up (and pay) for each field trip individually, instead of signing up (and paying) for the ENTIRE 8-week section?
A: Unfortuantely the answer is no because groups are assigned at the beginning of the course (by birding ability) and one of the joys of the course is getting to know the people in your group over the 8 weeks. In addition to providing consistent instruction, we also depend on the group sizes to be relatively predictable for scheduling of a diversity of leaders for each group.
I live north of Ithaca - can I meet the group at Montezuma / Derby Hill / Braddock Bay for these trips?
A: Yes, although on the Montezuma trip, much of the day is taken up by birding along the lake on the way north. For this trip it is advisable to meet your group at 7am at the Lab of Ornithology. For the Derby Hill and Braddock Bay trips, a week before the trips the Course Coordinator will organize a sign-up sheet for people planning to meet their groups at the sites.
Regarding the day trips (Derby Hill, Braddock Bay, and Arnot Forest), is it possible to attend both days?
A: As with any other local field trip, we ask that you attend on your regular field trip day.
For the longer day trips to Montezuma, Derby Hill, Braddock Bay, and Arnot Forest, what do I need to bring? Do I HAVE to attend those trips?
A: Be sure to bring a bag lunch and a drink to the longer day trips. For those that cannot be away that long, we will have a local (7am-11am) trip on those days as well. No field trips are mandatory!
Now that Arnot is a day trip rather than an overnight trip as in previous years, can I sign up for the trip even if I am not enrolled in the field trip section of the course?
A: The Arnot Forest trip is incorporated into the regular field trip section and not offered as an independent trip.
Do I have to stay at the motel? What if I want a private room?
A: Though we prefer that people stay at the same motel (because it is easier to keep track of everyone that way), we realize that there are special situations. If you need to stay somewhere else, or prefer to drive home and then drive back up in the morning on the second day, you would need to let us know, so that we could assist you regarding our trip itinerary. Private rooms are available for an additional fee (see the Montezuma trip page for prices)
Can I sign up for the Montezuma trip even if I am not enrolled in field trips or enrolled in the course?
A: Yes! Anyone may sign up for the overnight trip.
I live on the west side of Cayuga Lake. Can I meet the group up at Montezuma and then go home at night?
A: If you do not wish to have hotel accommodations on Saturday night, you can leave with the groups at 7am from the Lab of Ornithology and then go home at night and meet your group again the next morning by special arrangement for a reduced fee. For those driving back to their home on Saturday night we recommend meeting your group at 7am because much of the birding is done on the way to MNWR so you will miss most of the trip if you were to meet us at the refuge. Each group leader takes their students to different locations on the way to Montezuma so it is also challenging to set a time to meet students along the way.
Do I have to take the bus or can I drive separately?
A: This trip is organized for all students to be on the bus together -- this is part of the fun! We can pick up and drop off bus passengers in Birmingham, but we can not accommodate more people on the trip than there are seats on the bus.
Do I have to stay at the motel? What if I want a private room?
A: Though we prefer that people stay at the same motel (again, because it is easier to keep track of everyone that way), we realize that there are special situations. Contact the Course Coordinator if you have a unique situation. Private rooms are available for an additional fee (see the NJ trip page for prices)
Can I sign up for the trip even if I am not enrolled in field trips or enrolled in the course?
A: Yes! Anyone may sign up for the overnight trip.
Gift Registration
Can I give SFO as a gift?
A: Yes! Just indicate on your registration form that you are gifting the course. There is also be a field to indicate the name of the gift recipient in the online enrollment form. Contact the Course Coordinator if you have questions. sfoclass@cornell.edu
Can I pay for the course via partial payments or through an installment plan?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a partial payment plan at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
I need to get a refund or withdraw from the course. How do I go about this?
A: Please contact the SFO staff. It is will not always be possible for us to issue a refund, especially if the course is underway or arrangements for a special field trip have already been confirmed (and the deadline for withdrawing has passed). We will make such decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a scholarship fund available? If so, am I eligible, and how would I apply (or donate funds)?
A: Yes, some scholarships are available. In addition, each year there are a limited number of volunteer opportunities in exchange for free tuition to the lecture or field trips. Contact the course coordinator at sfoclass@cornell.edu or (607) 254-2466 if you are interested and for an application.
Will the course ever be available online?
A: At the present time our course is only available as a local course here in the Ithaca area. The Lab of Ornithology also offers a Home Study Course in Bird Biology, which is a self-paced correspondence course with no deadlines and a 5-week course in bird behavior: Investigating Behavior: Courtship and Rivalry in Birds. The Macaulay Library offers an annual Sound Recording Workshop. If you are a member of the Lab of Ornithology you will receive notices when additional workshops and courses are offered.
Age limits
My child would like to take your course. Do you have a minimum student age?
A: If your child is at least age 12, he or she may enroll. However, our course is generally not suited to younger children and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for field trips.
I'd like to take the course for credit. Is that possible?
A: SFO is not an accredited course and Cornell University does not provide an official transcript for the course at this time. However, students in the past have been able to arrange to take the course for credit by setting up an independent study project with their adviser or another professor. Usually one college-level credit is awarded per section (lectures or field trips) following the completion of the course. This type of course is usually taken at an undergraduate level in college, though a few people have taken it (and have arranged to receive credit for it) at higher-levels of education.
Upon completion of the course we can provide you a letter documenting your participation in the course. Many colleges, universities, and workplaces have agreed to accept this letter in the past and allow credit to be awarded for completion of the course, however we always suggest checking with a local adviser before signing up for the course if it is a course that you need for credit, as credit granting policies vary depending on the institution. With prior arrangement Dr. Steve Kress can also administer a final exam.
If I take the class for no credit, do I get I get a price break?
A: Since SFO is a non-credit course, offered to the general public for educational purposes, there is no price difference for credit or non-credit students.
Do you still record field trip sightings for SFO outings in eBird?
A: Birding checklists are shared each week with by the field trip leaders and are posted on the class website. Some students and field trip leaders also enter their SFO trip sightings into eBird. Since leaders often visit multiple locations, a single list for the day's trip is not suitable for eBird entry.
What are the benefits of Lab Membership?
A: In addition to a discount on SFO registration, Lab members receive:
- Living Bird, our
award-winning quarterly magazine, packed with stunning color
photographs of birds, articles by top experts in birding and
ornithology, reviews of the latest books, binoculars, and equipment,
and advice on how to improve your birding skills.
- Birdscope, the Lab newsletter, full of up-to-date information about Lab activities and volunteer research programs.
PLUS discounts on:
- Citizen
Science projects
- The Home Study Course in Bird Biology
- Purchases made at Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods (you can also order by phone toll-free: 877-266-4928 - just mention that you are a Lab Member)
By becoming a Lab member, you join thousands of other birders who support Lab of Ornithology efforts in research, education, and conservation. And, since the Lab is a non-profit, self-supporting unit of Cornell University, your membership gift is tax deductible.
For more information about the Lab's membership department, or for
information on advanced levels of membership, please visit the membership
website.
I have questions for the Lab that are non-course-related. Who should I contact?
A: To contact the Lab with general questions regarding the Lab of Ornithology and its staff, you may use one of the following methods:
Telephone: 607-254-2473
(within the US, you may call toll-free at: 800-843-2473)
E-Mail: cornellbirds@cornell.edu
Mail: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850You may also want to try to research the answer to your questions on All About Birds or the Birds of North America websites
How do I get in touch with the Spring Field Ornithology course staff?
A: Contact the Course Coordinator with your
request.
Telephone: 607-254-2466
Email: sfoclass@cornell.edu
