DuPage Birding Club Releases Tools for Learning About Birds

The DuPage Birding Club (DBC) announces new tools for schools (K-12), homeschoolers, libraries, senior centers, scouting clubs, and other organizations that want to engage their audiences with activities related to the fascinating world of birds. DBC created these tools to respond to an increased interest in watching birds by the general public as a result of the pandemic. People in DuPage County are spending more time appreciating nature in our forest preserves, at home in backyards, and in remote learning situations.

The first is a game called Birdo-Bingo, based on the classic game. Birdo-Bingo challenges participants to find birds in different settings during a stroll outside—two different types of birds together, a bird in water, a mostly black bird, a bird on a roof, and so on. Each card in the four-card set is beautifully illustrated by DBC Board member Natalie McFaul. Cards can be downloaded and printed at the DBC website: https://dupagebirding.org/tools-for-educators/.

The second is a series of 21 PDFs profiling the Common Birds of DuPage County. These profiles provide some basic information on the birds we might encounter anywhere in the county, from our feeder familiars like American Goldfinch, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, or Downy Woodpecker to park and forest preserve regulars like Canada Goose, House Wren, and Red-winged Blackbird. Profiles include photos and content covering the bird’s appearance (male, female juvenile), song, diet, range, habitat, behavior, and more. Seasonal presence is also shared in a chart showing the Top Ten Birds by Season. Profiles reside at https://dupagebirding.org/tools-for-educators/.

Both Birdo-Bingo and the Common Birds of DuPage County are sponsored by the DBC’s community-centered Outreach program, wherein club members volunteer to lead Introduction to Birding presentations, field trips to local preserves, and other tailored experiences available to community groups that want to learn more about birds. For more information, contact Donna Kubik at dkubik@dupagebirding.org.

DuPage Birding Club promotes birding among our 300+ members and the general public through field experiences and education that focus on the various habitats in DuPage County, the greater Chicago area, and other regional hotspots. The club welcomes birders of all ages and levels of experience to access these resources, attend club field trips and meetings, and join the community of DuPage residents who love watching, studying, listening to, and learning more about birds. More information is available at www.dupagebirding.org.