Synergy: Bird Counts

Bird counts are a way to get the “big picture” of what is happening to bird populations around the world. Through the participation of hundreds of thousands of citizen science volunteers, scientists are able to better understand the complex distribution and movement of bird species.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more through the websites:

BIRD COUNT by Susan Edwards Richmond and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman takes picture book readers on a Christmas Bird Count adventure. Readers follow young Ava and big Al as they carefully record and share their observations. The book concludes with information about the birds identified in the story. For lesson ideas, go to https://bit.ly/2QyDAHC.

Go to the Audubon website at https://bit.ly/302AYEX for information about the Christmas Bird Count.

Held each February, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a citizen science website where bird watchers of all ages can count birds, share their results, and create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located.

Great Backyard Bird Count https://gbbc.birdcount.org/

ARC courtesy of Peachtree.

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.