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As part of our Bird Friendly Schools action project, students at Carver Elementary worked to protect and improve bird habitat on campus while developing bird identification, observation, and stewardship skills through student-led investigations, citizen science, and habitat restoration efforts.
Created Carver’s youth birding team, the Carver Beak Seekers, to lead bird identification, biodiversity monitoring, and bird habitat stewardship across campus.
Trained students to identify birds by sight and sound using binoculars, Merlin Bird ID, field guides, and outdoor observation techniques.
Built an official Carver bird inventory through ongoing birdwatching and biodiversity monitoring.
Participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count from February 13–16, 2026, where two fourth-grade classes documented seven bird species on campus.
Supported student participation in ornithology through the Backyard Biologist Science Olympiad event focused on bird identification by sound.
Improved and expanded habitat areas used by Red-Winged Blackbirds within the school ditch and wetland ecosystems.
Removed litter and conducted cleanup efforts in bird habitat areas to improve ecosystem health and reduce environmental disturbance.
Protected native vegetation and supported habitat restoration projects that provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for birds and other wildlife.
Engaged students in citizen science and bird monitoring activities that connected local observations to larger biodiversity conservation efforts.
Encouraged peer mentoring and student leadership through birdwatching investigations, field observations, and school-wide stewardship communication.
THE BIRDS OF CARVER
THE BIRDS OF CARVER
BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
On February 13–16, 2026 two fourth grade classes participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
We documented 7 species of birds for the count.
GLOBAL BIG DAY
GLOBAL BIG DAY
On May 9, 2026 Carver families participated in the Global Big Day and submitted data to the project.
The Carver Beak Seekers
As part of Carver’s EcoSchools Green Flag action work, students created the Carver Beak Seekers, a youth birding team focused on bird identification, biodiversity monitoring, habitat stewardship, and environmental leadership. Led by fifth grader Grayson P., Carver’s student ornithologist, the team provided peer-led training where students learned how to identify birds by sight and sound, properly use binoculars, and utilize tools such as Merlin Bird ID and iNaturalist during field investigations. Team members divided into observation groups during trail hikes, learned bird ecology and fun facts, and began creating a student-designed Carver Bird Field Guide using Canva to document species observed on campus. Through these experiences, students strengthened observation skills, scientific inquiry, teamwork, and stewardship while building a deeper appreciation for local bird species and their habitats within the Ogeechee River Basin. Although the Beak Seekers did not compete in the Georgia Youth Birding Competition this year, students established the team with the goal of participating in future competitions and expanding Carver’s bird conservation and citizen science efforts in the years ahead.
Eco-Leader Grayson's Ornithology Guide
Eco-Leader Grayson's Ornithology Guide
For 25-26, we formed the Carver Beak Seekers, a Georgia Youth Birding Team. This is our formation year and we are not competing.
Grayson's Ornithology Guide includes the following resources:
Leadership Goals and Tasks Letter
The Peterson Field Guides "Birding By Ear" CD set
Pine and Grassland Birds of the Southeast Coastal Plain Field Guide
Birds Georgia Learning About Birds LAB
iNaturalist
Carver’s bird list: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-carver-elementary
Two of our school ornithologists competed in Backyard Biologists in the Georgia Science Olympiad. At the state competition, they came in 16th place out of 63 schools! In Backyard Biologist, students have to identify birds from sound.
Funded by the Georgia GOLD grant, we received new binoculars and a camera-attached pair of binoculars to document and investigate birds in our schoolyard.
BIRD SPECIES RESEARCH AND NATURE JOURNALS
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