OVN Christmas bird count for kids
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Bird watching and learning about different species of birds isn’t just for adults.
“This is Otter Valley Naturalists first annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids,” said Luke Stephenson, coordinator for this year’s inaugural event. “Long Point started a Christmas Bird Count for Kids – this was their third year doing it and they were the first group in all of Canada to do an event like this for kids.”
The 2013 Christmas Bird Count For Kids is open to children between the ages of 8 to 16 and takes place Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“As a naturalists group here, we wanted to follow in their footsteps and showcase ornithology to kids and maybe spark their interest in bird watching,” added Stephenson.
The half-day event begins with a meeting at Port Burwell Public School and includes a variety of activities for kids to enjoy, such as birding basics, winter bird identification, learning how to use binoculars during a morning workshop and a short hike around Port Burwell.
“Then teams of kids, parents and leaders in groups of up to six kids will go out and tour Port Burwell, identify as many species as they can in one to two hours and then come back to the school to compile the results.”
Parents or guardians must attend the event and youth who sign up for the 2013 Christmas Bird Count for Kids are not required to have previous bird-watching experience.
Unlike the Otter Valley Naturalist Club’s annual Christmas Bird Count, the information and numbers collected won’t be given to Bird Studies Canada or the Audubon Society but will go straight to e-bird, an online database for monitoring bird populations.
Once back at the school, there will be hot chocolate and prizes for various categories such as the most species recorded and the rarest bird spotted. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches, water bottles, binoculars and a bird book if they have one.
“After lunch we have a guest speaker coming to talk to the kids about biology and conservation. They’re from the National Wild Turkey Federation,” said Stephenson, noting that kids must register for the Christmas Bird Count for Kids and can do so ahead of time, or the day of the event at Port Burwell Public School. So far, there has been quite a bit of interest among youth in the community.
“I went to the school and spoke to Grades 3 to 6 and 54 kid actually put up their hands and said they would participate in the event,” said Stephenson. “Kids have all this week and next week to sign up. We’re hoping there’s a lot of interest because it’s only our first year and we want it to grow into something bigger – we hope to go from Port Burwell Public School and spread it to Straffordville Public School and schools in Tillsonburg as well, in future years.”
Stephenson said the first annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids is an exciting learning opportunity for kids but is also a way to enjoy nature and the outdoors.
“Really it’s a day to get the kids outside – with their parents, new kids in the community and to meet bird leaders from our club, learn about birds and have fun.”
For more information or to register for the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, contact Luke Stephenson, Otter Valley Nature Club at (519) 874-4028 or via email at j.luke.stephenson@gmail.com.