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November 9, 2011

NOAA: Journey of the Birds

Presented by: Tom Gaskill and Dawn Grafe

Tom GaskillEducation Program CoordinatorSouth Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Dawn GrafeVisitor Services ManagerU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Journey of the Birds

Poll Question

Do you use birds to teach about science in the classroom?

√. Yes

X. No

Question

What is Migration?A. The regular seasonal journey undertaken by many animals in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather.B. The seasonal movement of animals over a relatively long distance, from one habitat or climate to another.C. The regular, periodic movement of animals population away from and back to their place of origin.D. All of the above.

• Began in 1996• Field, internet, &

classroom activities• Study of habitat

and birds along the flyway

International Brant Monitoring Project

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

• Advance our understanding of estuaries and their watersheds

• Apply science to improve management through education and stewardship

What is a brant?

Brant sub-populations

Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna

Brant distribution map

Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna

Brant rest and feed in estuaries

Eelgrass beds are a primary food source for Brant.

Eelgrass is a power packed food source

Photo from www.ag.unr.edu/brant/main/photos

Research on brant nesting grounds

TODAY - 2009

TURBIDITY

DEEP EELGRASS BED

SEA LEVEL

Control of Eelgrass Beds by

Light Attenuation

LIGHT ATTENUATION

FUTURE - 2025?

SEA LEVEL RISE

LOSS OF DEEP EELGRASS BED

Changes in Eelgrass

Beds due to Climate Change

LIGHT ATTENUATION

INCREASED TURBIDITY

Let’s pause for questions from the audience

Plovers Sandpipers

Illustrations by Ram Papish

Photo by Tom Grey

Whimbrel

Shorebird Migration is Predictable• Fly north in spring for the breeding season

• Fly south in fall for the non-breeding season Photo by Tom Grey

Photo by Francesco Veronesi

Whimbrel Distribution Map

Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna

Photo by Conifer

Habitat

Photo by Gerrit Vyn

Breeding Non-Breeding (wintering)

Photo by Miguel Vieira

Fueling Migration

Photo by Alan Vernon Photo by Changhua Coast Conservation Action

Photo by Society for Conservation Biology

Research on Whimbrel

Research on Whimbrel

Climate Change and Shorebirds

Photo by Roy W. Lowe/USFWS

Climate Change and Shorebirds

Photo by Ingrid Taylar

Let’s pause for questions from the audience

Part 2: Teaching About Birds in the Classroom

• Shorebird Sister Schools Program

• International Brant Monitoring Project

Brant curriculum

Brant curriculum and log

How many different types of birds can you find in the silhouettes?

A.4B.6C.3D.7E.8

1

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

2

2

3

3

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

56

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

56

7

How many brant can you find in the silhouettes?

A.0B.1C.2D.3E.4

How many brant can you find in the silhouettes?

A.0B.1C.2D.3E.4

Mock birding leads to greater success in the field

Let’s pause for questions from the audience

Shorebird Sister Schools Program

www.fws.gov/sssp

Shorebird Sister Schools Program

www.fws.gov/sssp

• History of the program

• Helps students… – feel connected to wetlands and

beaches– increase their awareness and

knowledge of wetlands– care about and appreciate natural

placesPhoto by USFWS

SSSP Content

Lesson #1 – introduction to the National Wildlife Refuge System and shorebirds

Lesson #2 – adaptations and habitat

Lesson #3 – migration

Lesson #4 – observation skill building, identification and preparation for field trip

Lesson #5 – threats, conservation and protection of shorebirds

Photos by Becca Schiewe/USFWS

SSSP Content FIELD TRIPS:

Station #1: Bird Watching

Station #2: Invertebrate/Mud Prey collecting

Station #3: Interactive shorebird games or an estuary clean-up

Photos by USFWS

Subject:Shorebird Adaptations

Activity:Build-A-Bird (K-6)

Objective:●Define adaption●Define 3 adaptations of birds●Define 3 adaptations of shorebirds

Subject:Migration

Activity:Migration Headache(K-7)

Objective:●Define migration●Give 3 factors that can affect populations of migrating shorebirds●Predict the effects of habitat loss on shorebird populations

Part 3: Bringing it Home and Resources

Question

Which of the following bird watching resources do you have access to?

1. Binoculars2. Field Guides3. Natural Areas

What type of migratory bird would you and your students study?

A. Seabirds

D. Ducks

B. Shorebirds

E. Songbirds

C. Raptors

Bird nest boxes – A short term fix for a long term problem

Native plantings provide habitat

Let’s pause for questions from the audience

Citizen Science means getting involved!

Resources for Citizen Science Projects

• Brant Monitoring Project: www.padillabay.gov/brant

• Shorebird Sister Schools Program www.fws.gov/sssp

• Project Budburst: www.neoninc.org/budburst

• Project Nestwatch: www.nestwatch.org

• Project Feederwatch:birds.cornell.edu/pfw

Resources:Bird Information

• International Migratory Bird Day www.birdday.org

• U-Stream - www.ustream.tv/pets-animals

• Junior Duck Stamp www.fws.gov/juniorduck

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