Backyard Birding, the annual Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society series offering to interested local residents information about observing and protecting wild bird life in our region, returns in early October.

The 10-class series kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, with “Birding: Basics & Tools,” taught by two self-described “old guys”: Bob Iddins and Ken Wiersema.

The pair will share from their decades of birding experience, including information on birding basics, bird identification, and birding optics. Also discussed will be the pros and cons of several published field guides as well as a variety of birding tools including e-bird websites, mobile apps and more.

Backyard Birding classes are hosted by members of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) and can be taken either as individual classes or in a series. Cost of each session is $5. Admission is free for anyone under age 18.

For participants completing five sessions in the series, OPAS offers a free one-year membership.