Birding Hike

a. Bird Roles 

Birds are an important group of wildlife at Lake Hodges- so much so they are  often referred to as “indicator species.” Indicator species are animals that signal  the health, or lack of health, of the environment they’re living in. Scientists  monitor indicator species, like birds, to make sure the surrounding wildlife, plants,  and water quality is healthy.  

When bird populations begin to decrease, or show signs of distress, scientists  know to look for potential pollutants or other stressors in the nearby habitat. Let’s  look at the area surrounding Lake Hodges.  

Students will discuss the importance of birds in the natural world, how they  contribute to the ecosystem processes, and why we need to conserve them for  the health of the watershed.  

b. Bird Habitats 

Students will be introduced to the concept of “endotherms” and learn how  temperature affects birds. Using special equipment, students will compare  surface temperatures (e.g., sun vs. shade, north slope vs. south, top of rocks vs.  underneath, etc.), and discuss how sun intensity, wind speed and humidity differ  between habitats and what our warm-blooded friends need to survive in the  environment. 

They will be asked to note anything that can potentially pollute the nearby  water and habitat? (Did you notice homes, or think of lawn fertilizers, oil from  cars on the road, pesticides from upstream, etc?) 

c. Bird Hike and Search 

While on the hike, students will be asked to take a minute and listen. Many birds,  such as the California Quail and the Cactus Wren, have unique calls or songs  that can help identify them. Students will also use their eyes (and with the help  of binoculars) identify birds by their shape, size, and color.

They will be asked to note the date, the time of day, and the numbers of  individuals they observe and identifying by shape and size, and even color and  share their observations with their classmates. 

The Cornell Lab Bird Academy developed the BirdSleuth Explorer Guidebook for  K-12 (in English and Spanish) that can be used for this exercise: 

English: BirdSleuth Explorer Guidebook 

Spanish: BirdSleuth Explorer Guidebook