BCIU SIMCA Kit Resources

SIMCA Kit Resources

Linked below are videos, websites and other resources that can be used to support using each
SIMCA kit in your classroom.

Bee Hive Haven

All About Bees for Kids

SIMCA Kit

National Wildlife Fund- Bees Information

Birds of Brilliant Color

Birds In Pennsylvania: 24 Interesting Species To Look For

SIMCA Kit

Birds of Prey- Hawks

15 Facts About RaptorsRandom and amazing tidbits about birds of prey.

SIMCA Kit

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary- Lesson Plans

Birds of Prey | Science Trek | PBS LearningMediaThis video segment from IdahoPTV's Science Trek defines birds of prey and explains what characteristics they have that identify them as a raptor and help them catch their prey. Learn about their beak, eyes, speed, talons, and hearing, and why some are threatened with extinction. You will also meet a falconer, one who trains falcons to hunt. Learn about the equipment used and discover this is a 4,000 year old method of hunting.

Birds of Prey- Owls

Barn OwlWith its ghostly appearance, rasping shrieks, and habit of roosting in such places as church belfries, this bird has attracted much superstition. However, it is really a good omen for farmers who...

SIMCA Kit

Eastern Screech-OwlThis robin-sized nightbird is common over much of the east, including in city parks and shady suburbs, where many human residents are unaware they have an owl for a neighbor. The owl spends the day...

Barred OwlThe rich baritone hooting of the Barred Owl is a characteristic sound in southern swamps, where members of a pair often will call back and forth to each other. Although the bird is mostly active at...

Birds of the City

Pigeon Watch: Get to Know (and Love) Our Amazing City BirdsYou can learn a lot from watching pigeons! After observing pigeons from a window, park bench, or using online videos, kids use a checklist to spot different behaviors and color morphs.

SIMCA Kit

Birds of the Forest

forestbirdpocketguide_2020_compressed.pdf

SIMCA Kit

Birds of the Marsh

36 Water Birds That Live in Pennsylvania! (ID Guide)Learn the different types of Water Birds in Pennsylvania, AND how to identify by sight or sound. How many of these species have YOU seen?

SIMCA Kit

Birds of Winter

Winter Birds Field Guide Brochure.pdf

SIMCA Kit

13 Birds That Spend Their Winters in PennsylvaniaHere are 13 birds that call Pennsylvania home only during the winter months, and where and when you can expect to see them.

The Black Duck

Puddle Ducks hr.pdf

SIMCA Kit

American Black Duck Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

American Black DuckA close relative of the Mallard, the Black Duck is better adapted to wooded country. With the clearing of forest, it has steadily lost ground to spreading populations of Mallards. In its stronghold...

A Bug's Life

35 Common Insects You Can Find in Pennsylvania (2024)Learn the types of insects that live in Pennsylvania and how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen before?

SIMCA Kit

Butterfly Paradise

SIMCA Kit

15 common butterflies of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania is home to 146 species of butterflies. For National Learn About Butterflies Day, here are 15 of the most common species in Pennsylvania.

Types of Butterflies in PennsylvaniaList of common butterflies in Pennsylvania according to their family and images of butterflies of Pennsylvania

Chipper the Chopper- Beaver

beaverA mammal belonging to the order of rodents, or gnawing animals, the beaver has been recognized as a master engineer. By using teeth and paws, beavers construct lodges,…

SIMCA Kit

BeaverBeavers are the largest rodents (gnawing animals) in North America and the second largest in the world, behind the South American capybara. Beavers are powerful swimmers that can swim underwater for up to 15 minutes. As the beaver dips underwater, the nose and ears shut to keep water out. Transparent inner eyelids also close over each eye to help the beaver see.

Coyote

coyoteThe coyote is one of the most familiar of the North American wild canines, or members of the dog family. Many people consider this animal to be cunning and intelligent.…

SIMCA Kit

Filomena the Fawn

White-Tailed Deer | National Geographic

SIMCA Kit

Groundhog

Groundhogs -- Just the FactsEverything you wanted to know about groundhogs.

SIMCA Kit

Woodchuck Wildlife Note

Hippity Hoppity- Rabbit

Cottontail Rabbit

SIMCA Kit

Arboretum_Explore-Pennsylvanias-Wild-Rabbits_ACCESSIBLE.pdf

The Honker- Goose

11 types of Geese & Swans found in Pennsylvania! (2024)Learn the different types of GEESE and SWANS found in Pennsylvania, and how to identify them. How many of these birds have YOU seen?

SIMCA Kit

The Little Giant- Weasel

Long-Tailed Weasel Information

SIMCA Kit

The Masked Bandit- Raccoon

raccoonInquisitive, methodical, and intelligent, the raccoon looks constantly for something new to do. The common raccoon of North America is easily recognized by the black mask…

SIMCA Kit

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck

SIMCA Kit

Mr. Quills- Porcupine

North American porcupineAlways free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.

SIMCA Kit

Mr. Springtime-Robin

American RobinAmerican robins live across North America and in parts of Central America. They can be found in open grassy areas, gardens, and woodlands. This animal is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

SIMCA Kit

Mr. Timberdoodle

10 Fun Facts About the American WoodcockFind out why one of North America’s oddest-looking birds is also among the most beloved.

SIMCA Kit

American WoodcockRelated to the sandpipers, but strikingly different in habits. This rotund, short-legged bird hides in forest thickets by day, where it uses its long bill to probe in damp soil for earthworms. Its...

Natural Habitat

Pennsylvania Habitats Information

SIMCA Kit

Night Glider- Flying Squirrel

Northern Flying Squirrel

SIMCA Kit

Protected Species in Pennsylvania: Northern Flying SquirrelThis article describes the conservation needs of the endangered Northern Flying Squirrel and provides recommendations for its protection.

Non-Poisonous Snakes

Pennsylvania Snakes Identification Guide (Complete Catalog)Learn how to identify the most common and venomous Pennsylvania snakes, how to interact with them, & why they're essential for our ecosystems.

SIMCA Kit

Osprey

ospreyThe osprey is a large, long-winged hawk that is considered to be a bird of prey since it pursues other animals for food. Also known as a fish hawk, the osprey is particularly…

SIMCA Kit

Our Nutty Friends- Squirrel and Chipmunk

SIMCA Kit

10 Nutty Facts to Make You Appreciate Squirrels - The National Wildlife Federation Blog

Permanent Residents (Birds)

Celebrate PA Birds

SIMCA Kit

Poisonous Snakes

3 Snakes To Know On Your Walks, Jogs And Hikes Around PASee how to identify the venomous snakes you might find in the Keystone State as they slither out from their winter brumation.

SIMCA Kit

Scavenger- Opossum

opossumOpossums—or possums, as they are sometimes called—are small marsupials, which are animals that carry their young in a pouch. Slightly more than 100 species of these New World…

SIMCA Kit

Nature | Mythbusting Opossum Facts | Backyard Nature | PBSExplore the myths and misconceptions surrounding the widely misunderstood opossum.

Opossums | National GeographicLearn more about opossums: the only marsupial found in North America.

Snow Goose

Snow Goose Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

SIMCA Kit

Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe Hare | National GeographicLook carefully to spot this creature, whose snow-white winter coat helps it blend in with its snowy environment. Find facts and more in this profile.

SIMCA Kit

Spidermania

Spiders of Pennsylvania

SIMCA Kit

Spiders in Pennsylvania: List with PicturesKnow about the venomous and non-venomous spiders that are native to Pennsylvania. Get details of their identification, color, size, and pictures

Commonly Encountered Pennsylvania SpidersThis publication discusses the more common and important spider species in Pennsylvania, including two rarely encountered but medically important species.

Stinky, the Skunk

skunkThe skunk, sometimes called a polecat in the United States, is a black-and-white mammal that releases a noxious odor when it feels threatened. For many years skunks were…

SIMCA Kit

The Swamp Patroller- Muskrat

muskratThe dome-shaped mounds of mud and cattails scattered over a marsh or a pond are a muskrat “town.” Cut through the plant growth are “streets”—narrow channels along which the…

SIMCA Kit

Symbols of Pennsylvania- Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed Grouse Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

SIMCA Kit

grouseThe grouse is a game bird that is hunted eagerly. In some regions it has almost been exterminated. It is the habit of these dull-plumaged birds to lie hidden in the grass…

The Tree Ducks

10 Fun Facts About the Wood DuckDiscover what makes this dazzling duck a prolific nester and a master of woody swamps.

SIMCA Kit

Turtles

SIMCA Kit

Turtles of PA

Whistling Bob

Northern Bobwhite Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

SIMCA Kit

The Wise Old Owl

Great Horned Owl

SIMCA Kit

10 Amazing Facts About Great Horned Owls - Bird Watching AcademyRead this article if you want to learn all the amazing things about Great Horned Owls, where they live, their name, and so much more!

If you need any support using these resources, or find links that no longer work,
please reach out to Kendy Schiffert at kensch@berksiu.org

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