A few weeks ago our family got to visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.
It’s a fun place to go to if you ever get a chance, especially if you are a bird lover or you enjoy nature.
That’s the main building across the water.
There are trails through the woods.
The trails can be wet in the spring, but they are well-maintained.
Of course, there are plenty of birds to observe. At the main building, the staff provides bird feeders so you can watch birds at any time of day.
Surprisingly, although they are known mostly for studying birds, the scientists at the lab also study a variety of other animals. Because they have pioneered sound recording of animals and now filming animal behavior, you will also find information about animals as diverse as frogs and whales. This promotional video gives you an idea of the variety of topics studied.
Although the video is quite loud and dynamic, we actually found our visit to be quiet and soothing.
Our final stop was to the gift shop. They carry a number of great nature books, including the exciting new children’s books about birds listed below. You might want pick up some of these books and read them to help get prepared for the trip. 🙂
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Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why
by Lita Judge
Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Flash Point (March 13, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1596436468
ISBN-13: 978-159643646 |
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Birds of a Feather
by Bernadette Gervais and Francesco Pittau
Hardcover: 18 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; Pop edition (September 26, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1452110662
ISBN-13: 978-1452110660 |
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For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Laura Jacques
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (October 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1590787641
ISBN-13: 978-1590787649 |
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Puffling Patrol
by Ted Lewin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Hardcover: 56 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (March 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1600604242
ISBN-13: 978-1600604249 |
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Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95
by Phillip Hoose (Author)
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (July 17, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0374304688
ISBN-13: 978-0374304683
My review |
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Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird: A True Story by Stephanie Spinner
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 9, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0375868461
ISBN-13: 978-0375868467 |
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Bring On the Birds by Susan Stockdale
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1561455601
ISBN-13: 978-1561455607
See what Susan Stockdale has to say about her book at STEM Friday. |
Even if you can’t go in person, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a number of education and citizen scientist projects you can participate in no matter where you live. The Lab partners with other institutions for the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a very child-friendly event. The next count is going to be Feb. 15-18, 2013, so be sure to put it on your calendar. (A previous post about the Great Backyard Bird Count with related activities).
Have you ever visited the Lab of Ornithology? If you go, we’d love to hear about your trip.
Edit: Archimedes Notebook has a wonderful interview with young Olivia Bouler, who wrote and illustrated Olivia’s Birds, about her book and her recent visit to the Lab of Ornithology.
