Building Better Birders - Breeding Bird Atlas Citizen Science Practice Hike at Hams

Event Summary

Birding is a hobby that can be done looking through windows at home or climbing cliffs. You can bird using expensive equipment or none at all. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to attend this workshop, which focuses on songbird behaviors - especially those that provide evidence of bird breeding.  Join guest speaker Kelly McKay at Ham Marsh for a guided bird walk where we will all be looking for evidence of birds breeding. The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas collects information from individuals throughout the state to get a better picture of where and when different bird species are breeding.With the help of many individual citizens gathering across the state, a more complete picture appears of what birds nest in Iowa. Participants will be given a brief summary of what to look for and how to record information before we begin our walk and practice making observations.

This is the first in a series of Building Better Birders activities to be held in Buchanan County today. Participate in one or all activities – for you to decide.  Funding for workshop was provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection - Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP) and conducted by Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center), with assistance from Mark Roberts, Brian Ritter, and James Wiebler (Nahant Marsh Ed. Center).  Visit buildingbetterbirders.com for more information about the history of the workshops.

9 am - noon  - Bird hike around Ham Marsh to learn and practice Breeding Bird Atlas information gathering.

1 - 2 pm - Build a Bluebird Slot nest box ($15/box; registration required) At Fontana Park

2- 3:30 p.m. - Nest Box Monitoring Citizen Science (Fontana Nature Center)

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Programs