Thanks to our BEN Bulletin
sponsor:
The Bird Education Network
(BEN) was created following the February 2007 National
Gathering, hosted by CEE. BEN is a CEE initiative that seeks
to connect and support a network of bird education
professionals.
BEN has initially identified five
priority bird conservation problems facing us today. These
five priority bird conservation problems are: habitat loss,
modern industrial life, insufficient public awareness,
insufficient funding, and inter-American concerns.
Understanding and explaining each of these five problems and
recognizing that they are both biological and non-biological
are essential to crafting an effective modern bird education
movement.
A BEN Committee has been established to
provide advice and guidance for this important initiative, to
advance "bird conservation through education." Ultimately, we
at BEN are connecting bird educators at all levels to be more
effective.
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 A Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for
Kids!by Tom
Russert Every year for over a century, Christmas
Bird Counts (CBCs) have been celebrated across America
during the holiday season. Unfortunately, young kids
with their families are not easily included in this
important, yet somewhat rigorous citizen science effort,
one that can actually last 24 hours. To respond
to this situation, an experimental half-day "CBC for
Kids" was created two years ago, using some of the
basic ingredients of the grand old Audubon CBC
tradition. The objective has been to have fun and
potentially create a farm team of birders and
conservationists for the future of birding and to
encourage families to enjoy nature together. It is
a wonderfully simple, healthy, holiday celebration for
almost any school, youth group, or community.
The project has been spearheaded through Sonoma
Birding (in northern California) with a half day of
birding followed by a brown bag lunch and species
tabulation celebration. Last year ten teams of six kids
(age 8-14) each worked with experienced adult birders in
assigned areas with unique habitats and a common bird
list. The event doubled in size from the first
year. It's a wonderful way to celebrate the
holiday and help sustain the great tradition of the
Audubon Christmas Bird Count, now more than a century
old. The event is already taking hold in
several new locations in the U.S. and Canada. For more
information contact the founder, Tom Russert, at sonomabirding@gmail.com. You can also
examine a package of helpful "to do" hints for your own
CBC for Kids by clicking
here and adopt them to your specific
needs. Tom
Russert and two young CBC participants. (Photo
by Christine
Hansen) |
 Birds as the Wedge
by Dave Magpiong
Bird educators today are advancing on the front
lines of environmental education, armed with the ideal
weapon - BIRDS!
Birds are the perfect opening to
a greater
appreciation of the natural world for many reasons
including their accessibility, diversity, and sheer
beauty. Unlike many other animals, birds can be found
literally EVERYWHERE - from Ring-billed Gulls
patrolling shopping center parking lots, to Piping
Plovers on the beach, to a wren or a jay in the
backyard. There is also no time of year in which bird
enthusiasts are left empty-sighted. The advance and
retreat of migration in spring and fall usher excitement
across North America. The summer's specialty is its
territorial breeding birds and their broods. Wintering
invaders from the north can even warm our hearts.
The impressive variety of North America's bird
life holds the promise of wonder for everyone. The
whimsical allure of hummingbirds, the predatory prowess
of raptors, the serenade of songbirds, and the carpentry
of woodpeckers are merely a few examples of our bird
diversity and its broad appeal.
Arguably, the most magnetic factor of birds is
their unrivaled beauty. The Prothonotary Warbler's near
neon glow, the Vermilion Flycatcher's flaming
red-and-black outfit, the diminutive Bufflehead's
adorable charm, or the Painted Bunting's gaudy uniform
can inspire "ohhs" and "ahhs" from the most stoic of
observers. Yet, we, as more experienced bird
enthusiasts, can not overlook the true beauty of our
everyday birds like the American Robin, Cedar Waxwing,
and Dark-eyed Junco.
It's time to pull the trigger and deploy our WMD
(Weapons of Mass Delight) by sharing the joy of birds
with everyone!
Photo by
Dave
Magpiong |
 Peterson Field
Guide, The Young Birder's Guide-
REVIEW
by John Tyson, Senior Manager,
Project WILD
The Young Birder's
Guide (a Peterson Field Guide) by Bill Thompson III
is a great birding guide children will love and
even adults will appreciate. The book is for
identifying birds in Eastern North America.
Its semi-hard waterproof cover - designed for
field use- is small enough to easily fit in a day pack.
The book has a thorough introduction to birding basics
and is nicely illustrated with both photos and line
drawings for each species- plus shows coloration
variances in genders, breeding / non breeding plumage
and range maps all on one page in a very user friendly
format. The author cleverly incorporates green ideas
& species tidbits throughout the book encouraging
environmental stewardship amongst young birders. The
"look, listen, and find it" message is utilized on every
page. This is a must have guide book for every young
birder's backpack.
Positive features of book include:
- Copyright 2008 - 256 pages.
- Designed for use in the field: semi-hard
waterproof cover, light weight, small enough to easily
fit in a day pack.
- Introduction is well done by including birding
basics, identification, bird anatomy, and selection
and use of birding equipment, appropriate dress. [all
important for novice young birders]
- Utilizes both: photos and line drawings on same
page - plus shows coloration variances in genders,
breeding / non breeding plumage.
- Incorporates range maps on same page
- Includes a "look - listen and find it"
progression on each page - the three steps in teaching
birding basics.
- User friendly easy-to-use guide.
- Larger font in font of book for elementary age
children
- Incorporates "green" ideas into the book and
encourages environmental stewardship.
- Birding "Tidbit" or "Tip" on each species is also
educational and a great idea for kids.
- Great book even for adults.
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