Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Schoolyard Birding – Classroom Birding

A female American Robin is representative of an iconic bird to use as an example of an interesting species that people are familiar with in most parts of the United States and Canada.
A male with two fledglings are endearing as representatives of an important aspect of the life history of birds for students to appreciate the birds that live in their own neighborhood.

Especially appealing for elementary school children, but even college students, are a host of ways – big and small – to share birding as a part of science classes, science projects and outdoor activities. Many classes take field trips to help students discover nature with guidance, but teachers and other instructors can bring nature to the classroom, or at least outside the classroom windows. While trying not to create a distracting element for young people at schools or universities, backyard birding features can simply and effectively illuminate classroom lessons and projects.

A single, simple, clean bird feeding option, or better yet, a birdbath – for instance – can attract neighborhood birds, and inspire students with an introduction to birds and birding. Combined with some information about the birds you may expect, and the birds that eventually visit the birdbath or feeder, it’s an easy step into science class, biology-related coursework, or a special class project.

Teachers have used this technique for decades, but it’s worth repeating here. Sometimes, a suggestion from a parent or interested birder can make a difference for a classroom of children, which may transfer to an enlarged neighborhood of backyards. It’s easy, it’s clean, and it is fun; and it can make the difference between bland coursework to hands-on incentives to learn more about a given subject – birds, and how they fit into our world, and our neighborhoods.

Start with a birdbath or other water feature – it’s clean, inexpensive after the initial cost, and it will attract the greatest variety of birds. As for feeders, it’s probably best to steer away from seed feeders (that tend to be on the messy side), but a suet feeder will attract woodpeckers, nuthatches and more; a nectar feeder for hummingbirds or a jelly feeder for orioles (in season), can get the attention of any child of any age, including adults.

There are plenty of excellent books to use to share with students, and for teachers and instructors to use to develop lesson plans. There is also a wealth of information available on the internet, especially if you start with the Cornell Lab or Audubon. Who knows where students might take it from there? If you get children or young adults involved in the maintenance of the birdbath and/or feeder, it can help develop teamwork and unity among classmates; and it will promote activity beyond desks or lab tables.

Spring is right around the corner, so it’s the best time of the year to get students interested in birds as different species migrate north and begin to set up territories, adding songs to the neighborhood, and preparing for the nesting season. Start with a common, widespread, urban-ish species – like robins – that sing loud musical songs, actively visit birdbaths, and are large and colorful enough to catch anyone’s attention. Encourage students to learn about the life history of robins, how they build their nests, the color of their eggs, what they eat, their migration routes and wintering areas.

Robins are just an example (a good one), but you get the idea. Maybe Anna’s or Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are better examples at your location, or perhaps Downy Woodpeckers. Next, let each student pick a bird that interests them to write a report about, using an outline of topics to include, then share it with the information they prepare with rest of the class. Then, let nature take its course.

Of course, while this article is focused on school, you can share this kind of information and activities at home with children in your family. Birds are a great subject to share with children and young adults at school and at home, and it helps us all better appreciate the world around us.

Share your backyard birding experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com