Course
in Bird Study
Since time began, mankind has observed birds, and has
learned from them how we all interact with our natural world and climate. At
Birch Bend we have 4 distinct habitats in which to view birds; woodland,
open fields, shoreline and wetlands. The course is designed to fulfill the
field study requirements of the merit badge, but the counselor will be
available to work in town to fulfill other requirements. Completion is
sometimes subject to weather conditions and migratory patterns.
Prerequisites:
Students will be expected to have acquired and read the BSA Bird Study guide,
and to bring it to camp. Also, it will be expected each student will have a
pair of binoculars and a bird study field guide, or be able to share with
another student. A notebook and pad would also be helpful.
Course will begin approx. 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, with a brief discussion,
preceded by a 2-hour field hike that will take us through all 4 major habitats
at Birch Bend. After an agreed upon break, counselor will meet with scouts and
quiz students on other requirements in the guide book, including care of
binoculars and how birds relate to their environment. There will also be
discussion on what was observed on the morning hike.
If some field requirements are not met on
Saturday due to unforeseen circumstance, Sunday may be used if time permits.
What should be kept in mind is that with this merit badge, success is difficult
without enthusiasm for the subject matter.
BIRD STUDY
Merit Badge Requirements
1) Explain the need for bird study and why birds are useful indicators of the quality of the environment.
2) Show that you are familiar with the terms used to describe by sketching or tracing a perched bird and then labeling 15 different parts of the bird. Sketch or trace and extended wing and label six types of wing feathers.
3) Demonstrate that you know how to properly use and care for binoculars.
A) Explain what the specification numbers on the binoculars mean.
B) Show how to adjust the eyepiece and how to focus for proper viewing.
C) Show how to properly care for and clean the lenses.
4) Demonstrate that you know how to use a bird field guide. Show your counselor that you are able to understand a range map by locating in the book and pointing out the wintering range, the breeding range, and /or the year-round range of one species of each of the following types of birds:
A) Seabird B) Plover C) Falcon D) Warbler or vireo E) Heron or egret F) Sparrow G) Nonnative bird*
(*Nonnative
bird - introduced to
5) Observe and be able to identify at least 20 species of wild birds. Prepare a field notebook, making a separate entry for each species, and record the following information from your field observations and other references.
A) Note the date and time.
B) Note the location and habitat.
C) Describe the bird's main feeding habitat and list two types of food that the bird is likely to eat.
D) Note weather the bird is a migrant or a summer, winter, or year-round resident of your area.
6) Be able to identify five of the 20 species in your field notebook by song or call alone. For each of these five species enter a description of the song or call, and note the behavior of the bird making the sound. Note why you think the bird was making the call or song that you heard.
7) Do ONE of the following:
A) Go on a field trip with a local club or with others who are knowledgeable about birds in your area.
1) Keep a list or fill out a checklist of all the birds your group observed during the field trip.
2) Tell your counselor which birds your group saw and why some species were common and some were present in small numbers.
3) Tell your counselor what makes the area you visited good for finding birds.
B) By using a public library or contacting the National Audubon Society, find the name and location of the Christmas Bird count nearest your home and obtain the results of a recent count.
1) Explain what kinds of information are collected during the annual event.
2) Tell your counselor which species are most common, and explain why these birds are abundant.
3) Tell your counselor which species are uncommon, and explain why these were present in small numbers. If the number of birds of these species is decreasing, explain why, and what, if anything, could be done to reverse their decline.
8) Do ONE of the following. For the option you choose, describe what birds you hope to attract any why.
A) Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate place in your yard or another location.
B) Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate place.
C) Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting trees and shrubs for food and cover.
Bird Name: ______________________________________________________________ Date: __________ Time: __________
Location: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Habitat: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Birds
Two Types Of Food The Bird Is Likely To Eat: Food: _________________________ Food: _________________________
Bird is (circle one): Migrant Resident - Summer Resident - Winter Resident - Year-round Resident to your area.