Monday, March 14, 2016

SOL #16 Day 14

I've spent the past 10 years learning about specifics in nature. One aspect I've enjoyed learning is bird identification. Ten years ago, I knew very little. I remember tagging along with seasoned naturalists on an early morning hike in the forest. I was amazed how easily they could pinpoint different birds by listening to the sounds. I felt inadequate and envious. 

I began teaching students about some common backyard birds. I went on more hikes in the woods with passionate birders. I took a class with professional birders. Slowly I began picking up the intricate sounds of different birds. I taught more students and even taught birdingat  teacher workshops. 

My family noticed and began to ask how I could identify different birds. I was proud, I enjoy learning about God's creatures This afternoon I was outside and thought I heard a familiar bird. I carefully moved around the tree to locate the songbird. Then I got my phone, opened the IBird app and typed in the bird I thought I was hearing. The colors were wrong and the neumonic was not right, but the information suggested a similar bird, often confused with it. I typed in that bird and realized it was the bird I was hearing and seeing! I heard then spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak! All by myself! 

10 comments:

  1. I love hearing birds, but know so little about them and the different kinds. When I student taught, my cooperating teacher and her husband were so in love with birding. She would share so much of it with me and I enjoyed hearing all that she had to share. Congratulations on finding your bird all on your own!

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  2. I have the Merlin Bird ID app. It's fun to see what a bird might be.

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    1. Aps are fun because you can listen and learn the sounds. You should be careful not to over use the sound because it attracts birds. I have had other birds come to see what was going on. I knew I had played the sound too much!

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  3. Your post opened my eyes to the birding world; I must admit, sometimes the spring birds at my windows early in the morning drive me nuts - shouldn't they be sleeping? But, your enthusiasm is infectious - I'll have to look more carefully at those tweeters when I hear them.

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    1. Thank you! The magazine, Science and Children recently ran an article about kindergarten children learning to identify birds out their school window then doing all sorts of math, writing and science with the data.

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  5. I will have to check out that ap. Could you post where to find it. Thanks for sharing your fun time with birding. I love watching birds too.

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    1. You can get it from the ap store, IBird Yard + Guide for Birds is $ 2.99. Audubon Bird Field Guide for North America is free. Here is the web site for the Merlin Ap by Cornell Bird for either android or iPhone:
      http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org
      Best of luck in your quest for birds!

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  6. If you like birds, then I have a book recommenation for you. Here's a link to a review I wrote about Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard a few years ago. Enjoy!
    https://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/leblanccate/

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