03-15-2007, 05:10 PM
It is a sure sign of spring when migrating birds return to Colorado, and once again this year the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is offering "bird banding" field trips for K-12 school groups from April 21 through May 25.
Bird banding stations are located in Lamar, Fort Collins, and at the Chico Basin Ranch southeast of Colorado Springs. Students who make the field trip will learn about migratory birds by watching biologists capture birds, record information and put tiny leg bands on the birds to study their movements.
The field trips are designed for K-12, but any community group or service organization interested in scheduling a visit is invited to participate. "Bird Banding sites are located near resting places that attract a wide variety of bird species during spring migration. Observing birds up-close gives people a better understanding of the dynamics between birds and ecosystems," said Linda Groat, an education coordinator with the DOW. "The programs put special emphasis on teaching about the relationships between bird adaptations and the environment."
Students can watch biologists capture birds and learn how information is gathered and used. They also learn about the threats to birds because of loss of habitat, changes in migration patterns, and the challenges birds face during their northern journey. Start times range from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. depending on the group and the location.
The programs are free, but reservations are required. Educational materials are available and can be used to fulfill science standards 1 and 3.
Families, classrooms, scout troops, home schoolers, and adult groups are invited to learn about migratory birds by taking part in the bird banding programs.
To schedule a field trip, for Chico Basin please contact Pat Grove at (719) 475-9199 or pjgrove@earthlink.net. To schedule a field trip in Lamar, please contact Linda Groat at (719) 336-6608 or linda.groat@state.co.us. For Fort Collins, please contact Shelly Morrell at (970) 482-1707 or shelly.morrell@RMBO.org.
Additional Information: The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation and maintaining a balance between human activities and wildlife. The Division is funded primarily through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, with some support from federal grants and the Colorado Lottery via Great Outdoors Colorado.
Bird banding stations are located in Lamar, Fort Collins, and at the Chico Basin Ranch southeast of Colorado Springs. Students who make the field trip will learn about migratory birds by watching biologists capture birds, record information and put tiny leg bands on the birds to study their movements.
The field trips are designed for K-12, but any community group or service organization interested in scheduling a visit is invited to participate. "Bird Banding sites are located near resting places that attract a wide variety of bird species during spring migration. Observing birds up-close gives people a better understanding of the dynamics between birds and ecosystems," said Linda Groat, an education coordinator with the DOW. "The programs put special emphasis on teaching about the relationships between bird adaptations and the environment."
Students can watch biologists capture birds and learn how information is gathered and used. They also learn about the threats to birds because of loss of habitat, changes in migration patterns, and the challenges birds face during their northern journey. Start times range from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. depending on the group and the location.
The programs are free, but reservations are required. Educational materials are available and can be used to fulfill science standards 1 and 3.
Families, classrooms, scout troops, home schoolers, and adult groups are invited to learn about migratory birds by taking part in the bird banding programs.
To schedule a field trip, for Chico Basin please contact Pat Grove at (719) 475-9199 or pjgrove@earthlink.net. To schedule a field trip in Lamar, please contact Linda Groat at (719) 336-6608 or linda.groat@state.co.us. For Fort Collins, please contact Shelly Morrell at (970) 482-1707 or shelly.morrell@RMBO.org.
Additional Information: The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation and maintaining a balance between human activities and wildlife. The Division is funded primarily through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, with some support from federal grants and the Colorado Lottery via Great Outdoors Colorado.