Birds of Fernhill
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Methods
Materials
Procedures:
1. Practice using binoculars and discuss main ways to identify birds (ie, shape, color of feathers, flying patterns).
2. Start at Dabbler’s Marsh. Get a small clipboard and pencil. Find a quiet place to observe for 10 minutes. Record every new bird that is seen, and take notes about its behavior or coloration.
3. Come back together with the group. Compare notes and complete the data sheet as a group.
4. Complete observations at two additional locations, experimental wetlands and the new reconstructed wetlands. Take detailed notes!
5. If there is time remaining, survey the wetlands for signs of bird life (ie, tracks, nests, feathers). Record on the map.
- Observation at three locations
- Identification
- Looking for signs of bird life near bird boxes and nests
Materials
- Binoculars (6 pairs)
- camera
- data collection sheet, clipboard, pencil, map
- bird identification books
Procedures:
1. Practice using binoculars and discuss main ways to identify birds (ie, shape, color of feathers, flying patterns).
2. Start at Dabbler’s Marsh. Get a small clipboard and pencil. Find a quiet place to observe for 10 minutes. Record every new bird that is seen, and take notes about its behavior or coloration.
3. Come back together with the group. Compare notes and complete the data sheet as a group.
4. Complete observations at two additional locations, experimental wetlands and the new reconstructed wetlands. Take detailed notes!
5. If there is time remaining, survey the wetlands for signs of bird life (ie, tracks, nests, feathers). Record on the map.
Results
Our first time at Fernhill was in November, then. In all, we found 6 species of birds and 40 total birds. We found the most birds at Dabblers Marsh, which was our hypothesis. Here is a table showing our complete data:
Our first time at Fernhill was in November, then. In all, we found 6 species of birds and 40 total birds. We found the most birds at Dabblers Marsh, which was our hypothesis. Here is a table showing our complete data:
Key (from top to bottom, right to left)
D. = Dabblers
E = Expirimental
Bl. = Black
D. = Dabblers
E = Expirimental
Bl. = Black
Findings and Conclusions
Notice that in November we found very little birds. We found a little more birds in February. Then in May we found lots of birds. May was the most interesting of all the months; we were surprised to see 93 Canadian goose sitting in the wet grass.
Our hypothesis, which is we thought there would be a greater abundance of birds in Dabblers marsh because its been there longer, was correct the first two months of study. Our later results are better because it means Fernhills new snags are working to attract more birds. But, in may the snags had the most birds totaling to over 100 birds. Attracting more birds was one of Fernhills goals. Adding the snags has been successful in attracting more birds and giving birds a better place to live. One of our errors could have been miscounting : we could have counted some birds more than once or missed some birds. We would like to continue our research and find out if the abundance of birds will increase as time passes.
Notice that in November we found very little birds. We found a little more birds in February. Then in May we found lots of birds. May was the most interesting of all the months; we were surprised to see 93 Canadian goose sitting in the wet grass.
Our hypothesis, which is we thought there would be a greater abundance of birds in Dabblers marsh because its been there longer, was correct the first two months of study. Our later results are better because it means Fernhills new snags are working to attract more birds. But, in may the snags had the most birds totaling to over 100 birds. Attracting more birds was one of Fernhills goals. Adding the snags has been successful in attracting more birds and giving birds a better place to live. One of our errors could have been miscounting : we could have counted some birds more than once or missed some birds. We would like to continue our research and find out if the abundance of birds will increase as time passes.
Reflection
The bird research at Fernhill was so fun, but sometimes really challenging. One highlight was that that we saw a bald eagle nest, plus two other eagles. We also enjoyed learning different facts about birds, like the killdeer acted like it was hurt to lead predators away from the its nest. It was challenging to be able to correctly idenitify birds and remember if the bird had already been counted. We think we should continue coming to Fernhill to learn all about different birds that live therea and those that come and go.
The bird research at Fernhill was so fun, but sometimes really challenging. One highlight was that that we saw a bald eagle nest, plus two other eagles. We also enjoyed learning different facts about birds, like the killdeer acted like it was hurt to lead predators away from the its nest. It was challenging to be able to correctly idenitify birds and remember if the bird had already been counted. We think we should continue coming to Fernhill to learn all about different birds that live therea and those that come and go.