|
This book identifies Birds Common
to Upper Central United States Great Lakes Area in Late Summer and
Early Fall. For best Birding experience, compare book sightings with
pictures found in Bird Guide.
The
setting for this book is your typical college level birding class.
Methods of applied learning include four-hour classroom instruction
followed by many examples of bird sightings during a two-day field
trip. Reading this book
attempts to provide a true experiential birding experience equal to
college level study in Biology –
Ornithology.
TAKEN FROM CHAPTER
1
***
CLASS
SYLLABUS:
(Dunes
Birding 101)
PURPOSE:
When
the trip is over, students should understand the habitat selection
of birds. They should
know how to use birding equipment, and be able to identify at least
forty bird species by sight and song. You will also be required to
write a short poem about your favorite bird.
START:
We
will meet in the University
east lot at 5:45 Saturday morning. The van will leave for the
dunes at 6:00 a.m. sharp.
SATURDAY
HIKES:
On
Saturday morning we will look for birds in a rural area, and from an
observation platform in the center of a large swamp. On Saturday afternoon we
will take a dense woods hike around the swamp.
SATURDAY
NIGHT HIKE (optional):
We
will look for night birds around a small
lake near the lodge.
SUNDAY
HIKES:
On
Sunday morning we will take a dune succession hike, then drive to a
marsh and look for ducks.
On Sunday afternoon, we will hike to the top of Mount
Nicholas, (highest area sand dune) and recite bird poems. We will then finish our trip
with a hike along the lakeshore.
POEMS:
You
are required to write a
poem about your favorite Bird. The poem should
include:
·
One
word Title.
·
Two
Descriptive words.
·
Three
Action words.
·
Four
(or five) word phase describing the bird or its
habitat.
·
One
(or two) word summary describing how to identify the
bird.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We
will stay at the Josie’s Pine Lodge on Saturday night. The lodge has an indoor pool
and a hot tub. Don't
forget to bring your swimsuit!
FOOD:
Bring a cooler with enough food and drinks for lunch
on both days. You will
eat on the trail, but you can store your food in the van until your
ready to eat. We have
dinner reservations for Saturday night at an Italian restaurant
called "Nido-del-Uccello" which means the Nest of the Bird in
Italian.
DEPARTURE:
We should leave the dunes no later then 4:00 p.m. on
Sunday, and return home around 6:00
p.m.”
***
TAKEN FROM CHAPTER 2
TRIP
INSTRUCTIONS:
What you need to
survive.
Robert thought he better change the subject, and
glanced at his notes saying, “Bring enough clothing and food to last
the weekend. Clothing
should be loose, layered and cover your arms and legs to protect
your skin from insect bites and poisonous plants. Shoes should be suitable for
walking in sand. Oh
yes, remember to wear a hat and don't forget rain
gear.
Your supplies should also include binoculars, a note
pad and pen, a way to carry water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a
flashlight, any medication you need, and a bird guide. Bird guides are available
from the bookstore. You
can purchase one during tonight's
break.”
Robert took his bird guide from his briefcase and held
it up for the class to see.
It was dirty; dog eared and looked like it had gone through
half of the swamps in the country.
He then removed binoculars from the top desk drawer
and instructed the class on their use “The top-center rocker is used
for focusing distance, and the right lens turns to adjust for the
difference between your eyes.”
He handed the binoculars to Lily, and asked her to
practice focusing on the stuffed Barred Owl above the black
board, and then to pass them around the room for everyone to
practice.....
He turned saying “Birds have been around for about 150
million years. About
250,000 years ago, there was over 12,000 species. Today we have less than
9,000 species, and 1,000 of them are close to extinction. The major reasons birds
become extinct are the changes man makes in their environment
encourages the propagation of Cowbirds. Let me tell you about
Cowbirds....
TAKEN FROM CHAPTER 2
Birds are divided into sixteen major groups. We’ll be concentrating on
the seven largest groups.”
Robert
began listing bird groups on the blackboard while giving a short
phrase for the class to remember each group.
***
1.
ANSERIFORMES – Waterfowl,
(If you quack they
answer back):
“Anseriformes
have flattened bills with tooth like edges that act as strainers,
and they have three front toes with webs. They include Marsh Ducks,
Bay Ducks, Sea Ducks, Geese and Swans. Canada Geese, Wood Ducks,
and Mallards are the most common waterfowl found in late
summer. We might also
find some early fall ducks including Blue-winged Teals and Common
Golden eyes.”
***
| 
