4-H Birdwatching Project Reference Book March 2012 4-H MOTTO Learn to do by doing. 4-H PLEDGE I pledge My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, My HEALTH to better living, For my club, my community and my country. 4-H GRACE (Tune of Auld Lang Syne) We thank thee, Lord, far blessings great On this, our own fair land. Teach us to serve thee joyfully, With head, heart, health and hand. Cover image: Darren Swim, Bluejay (Cyanocitta cristata) (1547) - Relic38.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Bluejay_(Cyanocitta_cristata)_(1547)_-_Relic38.jpg Written by Graham D. Fairhurst and Leanne Schinkel, Wolf Tree Media TABLE OF CONTENTS 4-H BIRDWATCHING RESOURCE BOOK: INTRODUCTION ........................................ 1 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................. 1 REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 1 GETTING THE MOST FROM THIS PROJECT .................................................................................................. 1 ACHIEVEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROJECT .................................................................................. 2 SAFETY AND BIRDWATCHING ..................................................................................................................... 3 SAFETY WHILE ONLINE ................................................................................................................................ 5 RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ........................................................................................................................ 5 PEOPLE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 RESOURCES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 PLACES, EVENTS, AND ORGANIZATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 6 WEBSITES .................................................................................................................................................... 6 UNIT 1 - THE BASICS OF WATCHING BIRDS ............................................................... 8 WHAT IS A BIRD? ........................................................................................................................................ 8 WHAT IS BIRDWATCHING? ......................................................................................................................... 9 WHY BIRDWATCH? ..................................................................................................................................... 9 TYPES OF BIRDWATCHERS .............................................................................................................................................. 9 BENEFITS OF BIRDWATCHING ..................................................................................................................................... 10 HOW TO BIRDWATCH .............................................................................................................................. 11 STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN ............................................................................................................................................. 11 WHEN AND WHERE TO BIRDWATCH .......................................................................................................................... 13 HOW TO USE BINOCULARS ...................................................................................................................... 15 CARING FOR YOUR BINOCULARS .................................................................................................................................. 17 UNIT 2: FROM EGG TO OLD AGE: THE LIFE CYCLE OF BIRDS .............................. 18 WHERE DO BIRDS COME FROM AND WHERE DO THEY GO? .................................................................. 18 A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A BIRD ................................................................................................................ 18 UNIT 3: BIRD BEHAVIOUR ........................................................................................... 24 COURTSHIP ............................................................................................................................................... 24 ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A TERRITORY ................................................................................... 26 RAISING YOUNG ........................................................................................................................................ 27 UNIT 4: MAKING A LIVING ........................................................................................... 31 ADAPTATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 31 SURVIVAL 101 ......................................................................................................................................... 32 MAKING A LIVING ..................................................................................................................................... 33 UNIT 5: BIRDS AND HUMANS ...................................................................................... 38 BIRDS IN OUR CHANGING WORLD ........................................................................................................... 38 BIRDS PROVIDE HUMANS WITH IMPORTANT BENEFITS ....................................................................... 39 THREATS TO BIRDS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ........................................................................ 41 EVERYBODY NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE ......................................................................................................................... 41 COLLISIONS .................................................................................................................................................................... 42 CATS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43 POISONING ..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 THE FUTURE OF BIRDS: EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY ......................................................................... 45 GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................... 47 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................. 52 INTRODUCTION 4-H Birdwatching Resource Book: Introduction OBJECTIVES Upon successful completion of this project, members should be able to: § Carefully observe and identify local birds § Distinguish general types of birds § Have a basic working knowledge of birds, their habitats, and their biology and ecology § Understand the roles birds play in the ecosystem § Understand the relationships (both good and bad) between birds and people § Show patience when waiting for birds to appear § Think and plan before going outside to observe wildlife § Develop skills in observing wildlife in a safe and respectful manner § Engage with other club members about different types of birds and habitats § Work cooperatively with others § Use feedback and advice from other members to enhance their projects § Have fun while watching birds! REQUIREMENTS § Binoculars: a good, basic beginner’s pair will do; look for 7, 8, or 10 x 35 power with coated lenses and a comfortable central focus knob § A good beginner’s birdwatching guidebook like “Stokes Beginner’s Guide to Birds”, or the “Peterson Field Guides”. Make sure the book is applicable to the birds in your region before you buy it! § A journal to keep track of your activities, sightings, and sounds; a small notepad will do. GETTING THE MOST FROM THIS PROJECT § Attend club activities regularly § Listen and ask questions. You will learn from other members as well as your leaders. 4-H BIRDWATCHING PROJECT 1 INTRODUCTION § Keep your binoculars with you whenever you can. You never know when you will see an interesting bird! § Discuss birds and their habits with your friends, family, and fellow club members. Birds are very interesting, so sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm might rub off on others! § Take note of your surroundings. Some birds are very private and cautious. Be still and patient and you may see some of the more secretive species that not everyone gets to see. § Practice may not make perfect, but it certainly makes you better. Get out there to a variety of different places with your binoculars, and experiment by trying to identify different birds by their appearance, habitat, or song. “Learn to do by doing”! § Keep organized notes in a journal about birds you have seen, what they were doing, and in what kinds of areas and habitats you saw them. It might be useful to revisit your journal later. § Pay attention to other wildlife