Step 2: Pick a place to bird watch
Make sure to select an area where you think you are likely to see a lot of birds. Your bird-watching area should be approximately 50 feet by 50 feet — the size of half a basketball court. You can use a tape measure or an app, like Measure Map (iOS only), to help determine the boundaries of your area. Make a note of any notable structures/boundaries that you can use to help you visually define the area. (For example, the edge of the area is bounded by a driveway and a neighbor’s tree marks the far corner.)
Step 3: Plan your bird watching
You need to choose three different days this week to watch your designated area for birds. Each time, you’ll be watching for 10 minutes. Decide which DAYS and TIMES you will be watching for birds (you will submit the data of your observations NEXT Thursday January 20).
Before doing your observations, review the focal species of birds in this research study by going to the Cornell Lab Celebrate Urban Birds website. Then click on individual species to learn more about them and how to identify them. You can also use the Merlin app and the Backyard Bird Guide from the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society as additional resources to help with your IDs.
To collect your data, you may find it helpful to use the Celebrate Urban Birds data sheet here. You can print out the data sheet or write out a similar data table on a piece of paper.
When you’re ready to input your data for each day, click, “Data” –> “Enter Data” then follow the prompts.
Remember, your observations are generating real scientific data, so it’s very important that you adhere to the parameters of the experiment to avoid submitting biased data. Please remember to:
Observe for 10 minutes each day, not more, not less
Observe a 50 ft x 50 ft area
Be honest about your observations. If you didn’t see any birds at all, then report that – the absence of birds is important data too!
Submission Guidelines
For this assignment, you need to submit some details about your bird watching plan by answering the following questions:
What is your username for Cornell Lab?
Briefly describe the area that you will be bird watching. What structures/boundaries are you using to help you visually define the 50 x 50 ft. area? Explain why you selected this location — in particular, what characteristics of this area (plants, trees, water sources, or other features) will be attractive to birds?
What is your bird-watching schedule? Be specific about which three days this week and at what time (approximately) each day you will be doing your observations.
You will be submitting this assignment as a text entry or a file upload.
Grading
To see how this assignment will be graded, scroll down to view the grading rubric. If no rubric is visible, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of this page, then click “Show Rubric”. If you’re reviewing this assignment using the Canvas mobile app, the rubric is included in the Grade tab.
