Educational Programs
These programs can be presented to schools, garden clubs, community organizations and events and can vary from 45 minutes to two or three hour workshops.
LECTURES (Usually 45 minutes to 1 hour in length)
TOPICS COVERED
Bird Identification: Examines classification of birds and how to use their characteristics when identifying them.
Birding by Ear: A quick lesson on how to train your ear to not just hear birds, but also to learn their songs and calls. this is the most popular program that I present.
Ornithophily: Covers the evolution of insect and bird pollinators.
Gardening for Birds: Describes the best bird friendly plants that stress diversification and function.
A Year in the Life of a Bird: Follow the complexities of a bird`s life during a typical year.
Hawk Identification: Discusses the identification and life histories of various raptors.
Attracting Birds: Uses examples of bird boxes, feeders and bird baths and how to best and correctly attract birds to your property.
Bird Conservation: Describes how birds adapt to their environment and how individuals and communities can preserve habitats.
Bird Nests and Eggs: Discusses the building of nests and laying of eggs using a large collection of nests.
Bird Flight: Examines the mechanics of flight with activities.
Ageing and Sexing Birds: Discusses the techniques of ageing birds using molting patterns.
Hummingbirds: Looks at the life history of hummingbirds and how to attract them.
Eastern Bluebirds: Discusses the best ways to attract nesting bluebirds.
Bird Behavior: Describes various behaviors and how to observe and record them
PROGRAMS (One and a half to two hours in length)
TOPICS COVERED
Bird Identification (expanded): Includes activities, bird books, and binoculars.
Advanced Birding by Ear: Examines the components of bird songs and how to recognize and learn them.
Building Bird Feeders and Boxes: Build a simple feeder and bluebird box.
Selecting Plants for Birds: Looks at the selection of native plants.
Bird Banding: Uses mist nets to capture birds and band them.
Field Trip: Includes various habitats for seasonal birds.
Anatomy and physiology: Examines physical characteristics of organ systems of birds
WORKSHOPS (One or two days)
BIRD IDENTIFICATION
This workshop combines bird identification and birding by ear introduction followed by field identification. An afternoon or evening session discusses the techniques of birding, binoculars, field guides and how to listen and learn bird songs. An early morning field trip allows the participants to practice newly learned skills.
WATCHING BIRD BEHAVIORS
More than just a bird identification workshop, this class combines birding skills and observational skills. We go beyond the normal “birdwatching” to “bird understanding”. Take your birding to a new level by observing their behaviors in the field and discussing the origin and function of these behaviors. The indoor lecture is followed by a bird observation field trip.
BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT
Private home owners can benefit from a consultation on establishing or enhancing their property to become a wildlife sanctuary. Information, guidance and ideas are generated with an on-site visit. Small charge includes handouts and all information to make your landscape more wildlife friendly with bird feeders, baths, hummingbird plants and other native vegetation best suited for your needs.
Teacher workshops include information on how to establish a schoolyard habitat, grant writing, plant identification and bird identification. Activities are chosen to encourage teachers to use their schoolyard wildlife habitat. Activities and topics correlate with required curriculum guidelines and contain math and language arts objectives. This workshop can be designed as an afternoon session(s).
Community workshops discuss the necessity of establishing habitats that are suitable for wildlife and give information and procedures required to become a wildlife sanctuary.
TO SCHEDULE A PROGRAM CONTACT
Georgann Schmalz
Ornithologist