Magic Garden children and their teacher look for birds during the Great Backyard Bird Count. Photo courtesy Magic Garden
Magic Garden preschoolers recently participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a nationwide project to count and categorize bird species where “citizen birders” spend a little time in the field (i.e., their own backyards) watching birds during a specific time of year.
Data from the project, which is sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada, will help scientists learn more about the health of the ecosystems and environment by analyzing various bird populations.
Magic Garden children in two classes (ages 3-5) counted birds around the school campus in small groups using tools including field guides, pictures of birds and binoculars. The children spotted five American robins, a bluejay, a northern cardinal, a white-breasted nuthatch, an American crow, and three black-capped chickadees.
“It was a wonderful way to actively use counting and observation skills and a tangible way to show love for our friends the birds,” said Magic Garden director Jill Canelli.
“This experience was a great foray into the science of bird-watching for the children and for all of us as adults,” added Gail Wild, a Magic Garden preschool teacher and science lover.
“As both a nature lover and an early childhood environmental educator, I’ve always been fascinated by birds and have loved finding new and exciting ways to connect children with nature through observing animals. I’m excited to share my love for birds and collaborate with our teachers and pilot this citizen science project,” Canelli said.