Educators

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.