Honors Biology Service Learning Project: eBird

All freshmen at Lane Tech will complete a Service Learning Project in Biology class. A passing grade of this project is required to fulfill one of the CPS Service Learning Project requirements, which you can read more about by visiting the CPS Service Learning site. For this project, you will be observing birds in your community and recording your observations in a field journal. Then, you will submit this data into eBird for further analysis.

Overview: You will be observing birds in your community and documenting the number and species you observe in our field journal. You will then submit your data to eBird for further analysis, and evaluate conservation plans for birds in your area.

About eBird

In 2002, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society launched eBird, an interactive database that enables bird watchers to record observations from their expeditions and build personalized lists of the species they have encountered. These observations, in turn, become part of an aggregated dataset that researchers can use to: estimate the abundance of a bird species in a given region, track migration patterns, document long-term changes in bird numbers, build hypotheses about how human impacts affect species populations, and much more. The results have been used to create management guidelines for birds, investigate the effects of acid rain and climate change, and advocate for the protection of declining species. Students will also use the Merlin Bird ID app to help with species identification.

Materials:

·

Field Journal (Task 1 only- on

Google Classroom

)

· Merlin Bird ID app (free on Android/Apple phones) to identify birds during your observations – Task 1 only

· eBird.org (for Tasks 2)

The “Read-Before-You-Ask-Ms. Coonley” Frequently Asked Questions Help Section

For any eBird questions that are not addressed in this document, please visit

eBird HELP site

.

My friend also has Ms. Coonley for class. Can we collect data together?

NO. You may accompany each other during an observation period- but you cannot collect and submit the same data! The birds you see in a 10 minute window can only be used for one of you. So, you cannot input the same data for the same observation period into both of your eBird accounts – this is duplicate data and eBirders will assume that you saw 4 birds instead of 2!! Instead, split up the observation periods so that you are only collecting data for one student at a time. Your friend can help you spot and ID birds, but only ONE of you can use that data as your own.

I lost all of my field note observations and journal entries.

I cannot grade something that is not there. Without the required tasks completed and submitted as evidence, you will not receive a passing grade for the Service Learning Project. If you are likely to lose your field notes, it may be a good idea to take a picture of your field notes after completing them just in case you happen to lose them. If all else fails and you have to start over, remember that you only need 100 minutes of observations.

Will I get graded for this?

Yes.

I am allergic to birds.

Don’t worry. You do not need to get that close to them. In fact, you can safely observe from a window!

I don’t have binoculars.

You don’t need them.

My parents/siblings/aunts/uncles/grandparents are “birders”…can I go with them!? Absolutely!

I’m having trouble using the Merlin Bird ID App.

Visit the HELP section on their website >

Help

Are you grading for “accuracy” or just “completion”?

Both. Any sign of fake data, plagiarism, cheating, etc. will result in an automatic zero on all components of the project that are part of your Biology class grade and an F for the Service Learning Project grade on your transcript (this means you will not get credit for this service learning project and will have to find another way of receiving credit before you graduate HS).

Where can I learn more information about birds? AllAboutBirds.org or CelebrateUrbanBirds.org

Task 1 GUIDE: Collecting Data – Birding Observation Field Notes and Journal

DISCLAIMER: You will be visiting various locations to collect your data. Please choose locations wisely, and make sure they are safe and accessible. You can choose to do all of your observation periods at the same location, or choose a different location for each observation period – it is up to you! However, for each observation period, you must stay in the same location. This means that if you are on a walk or hike on a trail, take 10 minutes to observe in place (stationary). Your field notes will be taken using the “Birding Observation Field Notes and Journal” sheets. A sample of this document is shown below.

Location Ideas to choose from:

· Lane Tech campus

· Richard Clark Park (“Clark Park”)

· Montrose Point Beach – BIRDING HOT SPOT!!!

· Other Chicago Birding “Hot Spots”: Horner Park, Ronan Park, Gompers Park, River Park, Legion Park, Oz Park, Lincoln Park, Chicago-Diversey Harbor, Humboldt Park, Grant Park, Olive Park, Garfield Park, Douglas Park, Millenium park

· Your yard or any area around your house (you can even watch from a window!)

Materials:

· Birding Observation Field Journal or paper for notes

· Pen/Pencil

· Clock/timer (Remember – each observation period must be minimum 10 minutes long!)

· Merlin Bird ID App (on smartphone) OR Bird Field Guide Book (visit

Merlin Bird ID app or website

for more help on how to use)

· Binoculars (optional)

Safety Concerns:

· Be cautious with sun and heat (or cold) exposure – be sure to drink lots of water

· Do not observe at night, or outside during a storm involving lightning or strong winds

· It is recommended that you be accompanied by an adult, sibling, responsible friend, etc. – tell someone where you are going!

Observation Tips and Guidelines:

· Be as quiet as possible to avoid discouraging birds from flying near your location

· Look up into trees (dead trees make it easy to spot birds easily) or follow sounds to quickly spot birds

· Binoculars are optional – you can find a good pair on Amazon for as little as $25

· If you and a friend have the same field site, do not record the same data – it will not count!

· If you were unable to observe a bird during a 10 minute observation period, it is important to document that data in eBird. However, you cannot include this within your 10 observations. If you run into this issue, you may have to choose another location or day.

Tips for Identifying Tricky Birds:

Tricky Bird Identification Tips

Procedure (for each observation period)

1. Once you arrive at your location, it’s a good idea to sit still and quiet for a few minutes before starting your timed observation period. During this time, make note of the following on your field notes form: date, location, starting time. Have your Merlin Bird ID app or Field Guide book ready!

2. Set your timer for 10 minutes and start observing! Within this 10 minute observation period, identify and record any bird that you see in your field notes. it’s okay if you don’t get all of them – but don’t purposely exclude any birds either!

a. Once you see a bird(s), spend some time observing it before jumping straight to the app or field guide to identify it. Looking away too soon may make it more difficult to remember what it looks like when you are trying to ID it. You may even have time to take a photo or record the sounds that it is making!

b. Use the Merlin Bird ID app or field guide to identify the bird species you observed. Record the species name in your field notes along with the number of individual birds of that species you saw. Notes can include characteristics of the bird, it’s behavior, and/or its surroundings. This is especially helpful if you are still unsure of the bird species and want to revisit the ID later to make sure it is as accurate as possible.

3. When you are done birding, record the END TIME in your field notes (remember – 10 minutes MINIMUM!!!) and complete the journal entry. Keep your field notes in a safe place – you will need them for the next task!

Honors Biology Service Learning Project

Task 1: Collecting Data – Birding Field Journal

10 observation periods, each 10 minutes long MINIMUM

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM

End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Location:

Start Time _____:_______ AM/PM
End Time:_____:________ AM/PM

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?

Date _____ /______ / 2021

Species
(ID using Merlin Bird ID App or Field Guide)

Total # of Individuals

Notes

Describe your experience, including challenges, surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. What did you learn? What questions do you have? What do you want to learn more about? What captured your interest?