Re: [MDOsprey] birding with kids
Kem White (dkw@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu)
Thu, 10 Jun 1999 15:47:52 -0400
At 01:38 PM 6/10/99 -0400, you wrote:
>I will be leading a bird walk for a group of about
>15 kids aged 7-11.
>Does anyone have any other ideas?
Twice I've taken Cub Scouts on birding trips both times around Lake
Elkhorn in Columbia. Cubs are the same ages as your group. Here's what
I found:
1. An hour to 1-1/4 hours is about the right length. On average (for
Cubs, at least), their attention span in minutes is about their age.
2. Bring extra (cheap) bins if you can. Kids love looking through them
and probably not all will have them.
3. Open up your options. Identify fish, mammals, reptiles, poison ivy.
You'll hold their interest longer.
4. First go over how to identify birds first just as you would any
beginning birder. Then practice the lessons as you walk. Get them to
tell you why they know something is a duck and not a goose.
5. Your thought about big, easy to identify birds is correct. Water is
good. If you choose to bird around a lake, the kids will get wet. I
like Lake Elkhorn because you get water birds, feeder birds, and some
woodland birds.
6. Think about promising donuts/pizza after for good behavior and
staying on task.
7. Use this opportunity to talk about habitat destruction and its
effect on wildlife. It's never too early and kids this age are receptive.
8. Keep it moving. Given the age group of the kids you're taking out,
this will happen almost automatically. Don't expect them to be quiet.
9. Have fun and a Plan B. Both are important.
Kem White
Ellicott City, MD