Beginner Birding

  • Grades: Elementary and high school
  • Duration: 30 minutes or longer
  • Setting: Outdoors at a wetland, if accessible. If not, consider another outdoor space where you can easily see birds like a park or schoolyard.

Birds are beautiful and interesting animals that come in many sizes and colours. Birding is a great way to connect students with nature and introduce them to the importance of wetlands and other habitats as a home for animals. Students who spend time outdoors birding can learn about local birds and habitats, enjoy a new hobby and develop an interest in conservation. They will also build skills that help identify birds and understand bird behaviour, like observation, patience, concentration, teamwork and perseverance.

Learning objectives:

  • Practice listening and observational skills to find, observe and describe birds.
  • Learn field markers to identify birds.
  • Develop confidence in using binoculars.
  • Recognize that wetlands are important habitats for birds to nest, feed, rest and raise their young.
  • Participate in citizen science by reporting bird sightings on an app like iNaturalist (optional).
Young person looking through binoculars.