Sunday, December 14, 2014

Special Event Website Review: Christmas Bird Count

The annual CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT is a wonderful way to encourage citizen science in your students. It’s also a fun pre or post holiday library activity. #AudubonCBC 

The 115th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is sponsored by the National AudubonSociety. Between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of volunteers take part in this annual adventure for all ages. Use your library as a count location or find a count near you.
Go to http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

The CBC HELPS BIRDS page provides interesting information for students about the importance of the bird count and how the data is used to help scientists.
Go to http://birds.audubon.org/how-christmas-bird-count-helps-birds

Students can use the ONLINE GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS to help with bird identification.
Go to the Online Guide at http://birds.audubon.org/birdid. Or, go to http://ebird.org/

Create a display in your library focusing on ways that youth can become involved in real-world science projects. Include the award-winning book CITIZEN SCIENTISTS: BE A PART OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD by Loree Griffin Burns and Ellen Harasimowicz.
Learn more about other Citizen Science projects at http://www.audubon.org/citizenscience.