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Introduction:
The purpose of our experiment is to determine what species of birds reside in this area through observations of bird feeding stations in different locations at various times. Our hypothesis is that the 8:00a.m. hour and the 6:00p.m. hour will produce the most sightings of varying species.
Research Questions:
1. Do different birds feed at different times?
2. Do certain species prefer a certain type of food?
3. Does the location affect the number of sightings? Why?
4. Does the time of day affect the number of sightings? Why?
Predictions:
-A higher number of birds will feed in the morning rather than in the afternoon.
-The location that provides better protection will produce more sightings, regardless of the time of day.
-Certain species of birds do prefers different types of food and consume more than others.
What we plan to accomplish:
Our goals is to determine the optimal feeding times of the day for birds in this area through the recordation of sightings.
Interest:
Our experiment holds particular interest because bird watching, a very popular leisure activity, could be better experienced during the times of the day when bird are highly active, a.k.a. feeding times.
Relevance of you research question: Background Information.
Literature Review:
How does your research relate to a larger question?
Research design:
Our experimental design includes observing the feeders every other day for two weeks beginning on Sunday (date) and ending on the following Sunday (date). We will perform two observations both lasting an hour. The first observation will begin at 8:00a.m. and the second at 6:00p.m. During this time we will document the
species of the bird that visited the feeders, which feeder it fed from, and the time at which it all occurred. We will take the samplings from two locations. Each location will be observed four times during the same hours. The first location will be observed during the first week, and the second during the second resulting in sixteen total observations. This is all being done to determine which session, the morning or afternoon, produces the most sightings.
Materials:
Digital Camera used to photograph the various bird species
Shepard Hooks used to hang the feeders from
Suet Feeder and Cake used as a source of food
Oil Sunflower Feeder and Seeds used as a source of food
Thistle Feeder and Seeds used as a source of food
PetersonÕs Field Guide to Eastern Birds used to identify the birds
Data Sheet used to record species of birds, time of visitation, and the type of food consumed
Data Sheet:
______________________________________DATE:_________________________________
Location______________________________________________________________________
Session_______________________________________________________________________
Species_______________________________________________________________________
Time_________________________________________________________________________
Feeder(s)______________________________________________________________________
Timeline:
-Week One: Location One: Observations on: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
-Week Two: Location Two: Observations on: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Internet Resouces:
ÒDayton Area Bird ListÓ
Dayton Audubon Society. 2002. 2 Oct. 2002.
http://www.dayton.net/Audubon/index.htm
-Provides a comprehensive list of birds known to reside in the Dayton area at some point of the course of the year.
Line, Les. ÒShooting Like a Pro.Ó
Audubon. 2002. 2 Oct. 2002.
http://www.audubon.org/
-Gives tips and states the benefits of photographing the species of birds that reside in your area.
Senner, Nathan. ÒWhere to go BirdingÓ
American Birding Association. 2002. 2 Oct. 2002.
http://www.americanbirding.org/
-Suggests various locations and times that produce diverse and numerous bird sightings.
Thirey. Earl. ÒAn Update to Birds of Southwestern OhioÓ
Birding in Cincinnati. 2002. 2 Oct. 2002.
http://w3.one.net/~keller/cincybirds/history/Randle.htm
-Provides list of new sightings of various bird species in Southwestern Ohio.
ÒWhen and Where to Find Birds in Ohio: Southwest Ohio CountiesÓ
Ohio Birder Resources. 1998. 2 Oct. 2002
http://aves.net/obr/
-Lists popular locations and times during which bird watching is best experienced.
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