BOYS & GIRLS CLUB MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT BIRDING

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach partnered with Dana Point’s Ocean Institute and Crystal Cove State Park to introduce a new program that introduces young people to the joys of birding, or better known as bird watching.
The program began with Club staff facilitating lessons to teach members all about local birds. Members learned how birds possess multiple adaptations that aid in the survival of each species. The program implements a fun, interactive game to explain bird beaks and feet adaptations and to answer questions like why a double-crested cormorant spread its wings while on a rock, and how much water can a pelican hold in its pouch. Member’s logged onto a computer program to learn about the Osprey, Allen’s Humming Bird, California Gnatcatcher, Common Yellowthroat and the Roadrunner, studying their visual attributes, ranges, diets and most importantly, their auditory calls. The classroom lessons concluded with an internet scavenger hunt and jeopardy game making it easy for members to identify some of their winged neighbors.
Club members were prepared and ready for a visit to the Crystal Cove State Park to take part in their first birding experience. Crystal Cove State Park is a protected isolated jewel that offers 3 ½ miles of unencumbered coastline and 20 miles of backcountry trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. David Pryor, with the State Parks was on hand during the field trip to help Club members locate and identify some of the local inhabitants. With Dave’s help, members were able to see two Osprey, one of which that was imperially perched atop a phone pole enjoying a fresh fish dinner. Lots of hummingbirds were heard and spotted as well as an array of sparrows and finches. However the crowd favorite was the very vocal cubby of a California quail that marched across the trail.
Nowhere do we see the love for the outdoors more clearly than in the eyes of children. It is the goal of this new program to teach youth how to protect and preserve our fragile environment. Crystal Cove State Park provides a perfect place for children to learn about their natural world. Together we are working to promote an understanding of nature and the bountiful resources found in "our own backyard".
For more information about environmental programs offered at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, please call Megan at (949) 4949-2535x106 or visit us on the web: www.bgclaguna.org