| West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Description
| Title: |
BIRDS |
| Objectives: |
Become familiar with strategies and techniques of field identification
of WV birds. Be introduced to some aspects of bird behavior
and adaptations, and to methods of bird study. |
| Class type: |
Core curriculum |
| Time: |
4 hours |
| Optimal season: |
Spring |
| Materials: |
Binoculars, field guides. |
| Expected outcomes: |
The student will gain a basic understanding of
- how to identify birds in the field by sight and sound.
- how to select and use binoculars.
- bird behavior and adaptations.
- some methods of studying wild birds.
|
West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Outline
| Title: |
BIRDS |
| Time: |
4 hours (about 1 hour classroom and 3 hours field trip) |
- Overview
- Birds defined
- Analysis of the 234 regularly occurring WV species: summer, winter,
and year-around spp., nesting spp., passage migrants
- Rare WV species and conservation concerns
- Field identification
- Binoculars and spotting scopes
- Field guides
- Strategy for IDing an unknown bird
- Observe thoroughly before turning to field guide size, colors, markings,
vocalizations, behavior
- Consider habitat and range
- Birding by sound
- Behavior and adaptations
- Mating and nesting, territoriality
- Habitats, feeding, and beaks and feet
- Migration
- Bird watching and study
- Birding organizations and publications
- "Citizen science" projects - reporting what you observe
- What to do with a dead bird
- "Orphaned" nestlings
*** DNR *** |
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