Native Bird Connections

 

Outside Child...

A partnership between Native Bird Connections and Mt. Diablo Audubon Chapter

This program was created in response to: Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv and No Child Left Inside Coalition ( nclicoalition.org)

Our concept is to develop and encourage children to bring respect, responsibility, empathy,
wonder and awe to the natural world that is immediately available around them.

This is a 3 part program. The first program is a Live bird visit, the second is a introduction to
tools and taxidermy, focusing on use of binoculars and field guides with handling of local study skins. The third part consists of a schoolyard field experience.

Grades that we are offering Outside Child at this time are 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.

 

 

Below is an article written for the The Quail, Mt Diablo Audubon Chapter newsletter...

 

On Friday, June 6th, thirty-three 5th grade students from nearby Jack London Elementary School, their teacher, Evelyn Jones, and several parent volunteers were joined by eight MDAS volunteer leaders to enjoy a morning of birding at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. 

The MDAS volunteers included President Jimm Edgar, Gloria Cannon, Joel Summerhill, Austin Prindle, Diana Granados, Carolyn Lie, Brian Murphy,and Paul Schorr. 

The weather was clear, warm and breezy and the group practically had the area to themselves.  The students were divided into six groups and they rotated among six birding stations on or near Loma Island, each station being monitored by MDAS volunteer(s) with a spotting scope.  Each of the students adeptly used a pair of binoculars that had been purchased by the chapter for purposes such as this and other Education Outreach programs.

Following this activity the group walked from the lake area to an open area with views of the oak-dotted hills, an introduction to the California savannah.  From
this location Brian Murphy explained the importance of the nearby California Quail habitats and the newly posted Western Bluebird houses along a fence line.  A cooperative pair of Western Bluebirds substantiated the success of this conservation endeavor. 

 

 

After lunch, as in MDAS field trips, the group tallied a total of 38 species that included great views of: a pair of fishing Osprey, families of Canada Geese and Mallards, and a nesting Barn Owl (seen by at least one group).  

During the tally, a Belted Kingfisher flew by, providing good views and our 38th species! 

 

 

Regarding the Barn Owl, Diana Granados had explained to a group of students that Barn Owls will nest in palm trees.  Moments later, one of the girls looked into a nearby palm tree, and calmly exclaimed, “There’s one.”  The volunteers all had many teachable moments and they were rewarded with the subsequent students’ excitement.