At this point, you have some background knowledge about birding, you can identify some common birds in your neighboorhoods, so now it's time to go birding!
Wilderness Inquiry created Backyard Bird ID Bingo because everything seems a little more fun if it's a game! Your Bingo Board is filled with 15 common Minnesota birds, as well as a free space. Here are some quick instructions:
Download the Backyard Bird ID Bingo below
Look up! Look around! Listen closely...
Use your newfound birding skills to ID the birds in your neighborhood, and mark them on your board as you go.
Most birders take detailed field notes while birding. As a scientist, it’s very important to record all observations like describing the appearance, behavior and sounds of the birds. If you’re feeling up to it, you can include sketches of the birds you spot. Although a simple sketch is all you need, there are many tutorials that give great tips!
For instance, here are step-by-step instructions on how to sketch an American Goldfinch from David Sibley. Sibley is an ornithologist who wrote and illustrated The Sibley Guide to Birds.
Did you know, anyone can be a scientist? A Citizen Scientist, at least! Citizen Science happens when ordinary people study the world around them and send in the data they collect to scientists. No matter who you are, you can do citizen science! Citizen science allows the general public, no matter where you live, to contribute and be involved in scientific research.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a program called eBird where individuals from all over the world can easily enter their birding observations. Citizen science is critical, not only because it helps researchers, but because it also increases environmental awareness and advocacy. Your sightings contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions and research papers, thousands of student projects, and help inform bird research worldwide.