Second Term Extra Credit: Bald Eagle Field Study America s most prestigious bird of prey Name: Hour: Field Dates: Pre-field study done: Arrival time: Saturday, January 8 8:00 10:00 AM (in conjunction w/ Tulsa Audubon Society) Sunday, January 16 8:00 10:00 AM (in conjunction w/ Tulsa Audubon Society) Departure time: Teacher signature required for full credit
Freshman Academy Biology Department 2010-2011 Bald Eagle Field Study Extra Credit The purpose of this extra credit project is to provide students with a meaningful field experience observing our nation s most prestigious bird of prey, The Bald Eagle. Students will discover information related to Bald Eagle conservation efforts here in Oklahoma and details about habitat, as well as experience the thrill of observing Eagles in the wild. Directions to Keystone Dam: The following website of the Tulsa Audubon Society provides directions as to how to get to the Keystone Dam observation deck. Once you turn right into the camping ground, follow the road all the way to the end. Here are the directions: http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/eagle_days.htm Requirements for this Project: For full credit, students must complete the following pre-field study questions BEFORE you arrive at Keystone Dam, observe the eagles for at least 45 minutes (you must show up 45 min. before the ending time), and complete the field study page while at the dam. What to do Do the pre-field study and get teacher signature. Put your name on the sign up sheet so we have an idea of how many students will attend. Dress for the weather. Wear warm clothing, gloves, and warm shoes/socks as you will be standing outside. Students will not be allowed to watch the eagles from a car. Bring binoculars, if you have them. There will also be binoculars and spotting scopes there for students to look through. Consider car pooling with friends. Check in with a teacher when you arrive. Appropriate behavior is expected. Show respect for the environment and wildlife.
Pre-field Briefing Questions: Answer these BEFORE you go into the field. You must get a teacher signature showing completion of this pre-field work before or at the time you arrive at the field site. Full credit will NOT be given if you show up with incomplete pre-field notes. 1. Go here: http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/eagles.htm A. Why is the Arkansas River an attractive habitat for wintering Bald Eagles? B. What is the range of the Bald Eagle reserve established by the Nature Conservancy? C. What factors contributed to the decline of Bald Eagles in the US? D. When was the Bald Eagle put on the endangered species list? E. What has been done to strengthen the Bald Eagle population here in Oklahoma? 2. Go here: http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/eaglesbrochure.htm A. About how many Bald Eagles winter here in Oklahoma? B. What is the general season for seeing wintering Bald Eagles in Oklahoma? C. In what way do Bald Eagles behave differently in the winter compared to summer breeding season? Why might this difference occur?
D. General Characteristics Adult Weight: Adult Height: Adult Wingspan: Adult Color: Young Color: Foods: Prey Size: Nest: Eggs: Young: Longevity: Eyesight: Speed:
E. Make drawings of the following: Draw an adult Bald Eagle, as it is seen flying overhead. Draw how a Bald Eagle looks when it is flying toward you. 3. You will need to use the internet or a resource book to find the following information: Classification of the Bald Eagle Kingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Family: Genus: Species:
Field notes on this page are to be completed at the observation site. Field Notes: Location: Date: Time: Temperature: Temperature when factoring in the wind chill: Brief description of weather, including wind, clouds, sun, etc.: Name at least two other animals sighted: Describe the features of this environment: Number of Eagles sighted: Adults, Immatures Briefly describe their perching behavior: Briefly describe their feeding behavior: Other Eagle behaviors you saw on this trip:
On this page, write (not type) a paragraph that includes 2-3 things that you feel are important to insure that the Bald Eagle population continues to grow and thrive here in Oklahoma. Then write a paragraph that describes your feelings about viewing the Bald Eagles in their natural habitat.