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NOAA: Journey of the Birds
Presented by: Tom Gaskill and Dawn Grafe
November 9, 2011
Journey of the
Birds
Tom Gaskill
Education Program Coordinator
South Slough National Estuarine Research
Reserve
Dawn Grafe
Visitor Services Manager
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Poll Question
Do you use birds to teach about
science in the classroom?
√. Yes
X. No
Question
What is Migration?
A. The regular seasonal journey undertaken by
many animals in response to changes in food
availability, habitat or weather.
B. The seasonal movement of animals over a
relatively long distance, from one habitat or climate
to another.
C. The regular, periodic movement of animals
population away from and back to their place of
origin.
D. All of the above.
International Brant Monitoring Project
• Began in 1996
• Field, internet, &
classroom activities
• Study of habitat
and birds along the
flyway
South Slough National Estuarine
Research Reserve
• Advance our
understanding of
estuaries and
their watersheds
• Apply science to
improve
management
through education
and stewardship
What is a brant?
Brant sub-populations
Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna
Brant distribution map
Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna
Brant rest and
feed in estuaries
Eelgrass beds are a primary
food source for Brant.
Eelgrass is a power packed
food source
Research on brant nesting
grounds
Photo from www.ag.unr.edu/brant/main/photos
TODAY - 2009
SEA LEVEL
LIGHT
ATTENUATION
TURBIDITY
DEEP EELGRASS
BED
Control of
Eelgrass Beds
by Light
Attenuation
FUTURE - 2025?
SEA LEVEL
RISE
LIGHT
ATTENUATION
INCREASED
TURBIDITY
LOSS OF DEEP
EELGRASS BED
Changes in
Eelgrass Beds
due to Climate
Change
Let’s pause for questions
from the audience
Plovers
Illustrations by Ram Papish
Sandpipers
Whimbrel
Photo by Tom Grey
Shorebird Migration is Predictable
• Fly north in spring for
the breeding season
Photo by Francesco Veronesi
• Fly south in fall for the
non-breeding season
Photo by Tom Grey
Whimbrel
Distribution
Map
Photo by Conifer
Map courtesy of bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna
Habitat
Breeding
Non-Breeding (wintering)
Photo by Gerrit Vyn
Photo by Miguel Vieira
Fueling Migration
Photo by Alan Vernon
Photo by Changhua Coast Conservation Action
Research on Whimbrel
Photo by Society for Conservation Biology
Research on Whimbrel
Climate Change and Shorebirds
Photo by Roy W. Lowe/USFWS
Climate Change and Shorebirds
Photo by Ingrid Taylar
Let’s pause for questions
from the audience
Part 2: Teaching About
Birds in the Classroom
• Shorebird Sister Schools Program
• International Brant Monitoring Project
Brant curriculum
Brant curriculum and log
How many
different types of
birds can you find
in the silhouettes?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 3
D. 7
E. 8
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
1
3
2
1
3
2
4
3
1
4
2
1
3
2
4
3
5
5
1
4
2
1
3
2
4
3
5
6
1
5
4
2
1
3
2
4
7
3
5
6
1
5
4
How many brant
can you find in the
silhouettes?
A.0
B.1
C.2
D.3
E.4
How many brant
can you find in the
silhouettes?
A.0
B.1
C.2
D.3
E.4
Mock birding leads to greater success
in the field
Let’s pause for questions
from the audience
Shorebird Sister Schools Program
www.fws.gov/sssp
Shorebird Sister Schools Program
www.fws.gov/sssp
• History of the program
• Helps students…
– feel connected to wetlands and
beaches
– increase their awareness and
knowledge of wetlands
– care about and appreciate
natural places
Photo by USFWS
SSSP Content
Lesson #1 – introduction to the
National Wildlife Refuge System and
shorebirds
Lesson #2 – adaptations and habitat
Lesson #3 – migration
Lesson #4 – observation skill
building, identification and
preparation for field trip
Lesson #5 – threats, conservation
and protection of shorebirds
Photos by Becca Schiewe/USFWS
SSSP Content
FIELD TRIPS:
Station #1: Bird Watching
Station #2: Invertebrate/Mud Prey collecting
Station #3: Interactive shorebird games or
an estuary clean-up
Photos by USFWS
Subject:
Shorebird Adaptations
Activity:
Build-A-Bird (K-6)
Objective:
●Define adaption
●Define 3 adaptations
of birds
●Define 3 adaptations
of shorebirds
Subject:
Migration
Activity:
Migration Headache
(K-7)
Objective:
●Define migration
●Give 3 factors that can affect
populations of migrating shorebirds
●Predict the effects of habitat loss on
shorebird populations
Part 3: Bringing it Home
and Resources
Question
Which of the following bird watching
resources do you have access to?
1. Binoculars
2. Field Guides
3. Natural Areas
What type of migratory bird would you
and your students study?
A. Seabirds
B. Shorebirds
D. Ducks
C. Raptors
E. Songbirds
Bird nest boxes – A short term
fix for a long term problem
Native plantings provide habitat
Let’s pause for questions
from the audience
Citizen Science means
getting involved!
Resources
for Citizen Science Projects
• Brant Monitoring Project:
www.padillabay.gov/brant
• Shorebird Sister Schools Program
www.fws.gov/sssp
• Project Budburst: www.neoninc.org/budburst
• Project Nestwatch: www.nestwatch.org
• Project Feederwatch:birds.cornell.edu/pfw
Resources:
Bird Information
• International Migratory Bird Day
www.birdday.org
• U-Stream - www.ustream.tv/pets-animals
• Junior Duck Stamp www.fws.gov/juniorduck
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