“Ted, I was looking at the photos from our birding trips to Arizona and to the Rio Grande Valley. Happy memories of two wonderful trips. The itineraries were well planned and took advantage of the best local spots, but what I appreciated most was the pacing. We aren’t rushed, and we had time to savor the special moments, like the rare trogon in Arizona, or the crested Caracara in Texas, or even the ordinary birds, like the bathing finches or nesting doves. The birds have been awesome, in the best sense of that word-- I've seen over 30 birds on each trip that were new to me, ones that I would not have seen otherwise. I enjoy staying at the small B&B's; their hosts add a lot to the trip. TheSouthwestern Research Station in Portal, Arizona, was a magical place, like a mini-Yosemite with red rock walls. At the end of one of your trips I always feel that I’ve had a 'complete' experience of the area. I look forward to traveling with you again.”

“I’d be happy to write something for your website, Ted. I’ve been in your classes and with you on class field trips for four years now. The most recent trip was to SE Arizona last year, where we saw so many great birds, like the roadrunners, trogons, many kinds of hummingbirds, tanagers, hawks, woodpeckers and over 100 others! The itinerary, including the B&Bs and the Research Station, was well planned, and I thought you researched the birdlife and other fauna and flora very well. I also enjoy the anthropological and natural history information you are constantly bubbling over with, not to mention your sense of humor. I really enjoyed the trip and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone. “

“Ted, we speak often of the fun we had with you and Cathy and Jane on our tour of the Rio Grand towns, their wildlife preserves and birds.  I never knew how much fun birding could be! We watch Sunrise Earth on the Discovery Channel most mornings and the programs with birds are now our favorites.”

“If you’re curious about the avian life around you – from the tiny chirps emanating from the backyard bushes to those large ominous black shadows circling overhead—then maybe it’s time to try one of Ted Pierce’s birding classes. Pierce doesn’t just show his students how to differentiate a pipit from a wagtail. For him, the goal isn’t to build up a huge “life list,” enumerating how many species you’ve seen, but rather to use birdwatching as a way to learn about the environment, and to simply relax and enjoy yourself. His classes, offered through several East Bay adult schools, consist of three or four week class sessions and several field trips to local birding hot spots on weekends. He also schedules regular outings to more remote locations. Pierce uses an innovative approach: on his beginning field trips, he tells his students not to call out the names of the birds that they can identify. Instead, they list different characteristics they’re observing. Thus, a robin could become a ‘medium-sized bird with a red breast and dark head, hopping across the lawn, pulling worms from the ground.’  It feels silly at first, but then you begin to notice how much more detail you’re seeing, and how much more aware you’re becoming of the world around you. And that may be what birding is really all about.”

“This course enhanced my appreciation of the natural context of birds. I’m simply more aware of their habitats. Ted is a master teacher.”

“Ted is a great teacher with a unique approach to birding. First, all the basic birding skills are there, such as spotting birds in unusual places, identification and good field trips. Beyond this there’s much more. One of the things that makes Ted unique is that he has a broad interest in nature and the environment. He knows the current literature about natural history. Where appropriate, Ted will bring in art, classical myths, or, to leaven the loaf, stories about his children. One of Ted’s goals is to bring everyone closer to nature. Field trips are not done in a rush. He’ll stop to point out an unusual flower or a different rock formation. In the process you’ll learn many things you didn’t know before. Most important of all, Ted relates well to people and has a good sense of humor. He not only knows about nature and birding, but is fun to be around. Try one of his courses and find out for yourself.”

“The teacher’s ability and personality makes all the difference. What made this class fun for me (and probably for everyone else!) is that you made it enjoyable due to your enthusiasm, dry sense of humor (which I like), and because you never made us feel pressured. I knew I could just enjoy everything and learn at my own pace. The field trips and classes were both great.”

“I have taken Ted Pierce’s class “Nature Journal” and have enjoyed it very much. It has had a great impact on me since I lived in the wilderness in Alaska for many years. Ted Pierce has shown me a world of nature that I was unaware that greatly improves the quality of my life. He has enormous knowledge of the birds, plants and animals of this area and presents it very well to his students. His choice of literature presented in the class has opened up a new world of reading materials and also brought up many memories of my childhood in the English countryside. The class has brought me great pleasure and it has been a valuable experience for me.”