When thinking about leisure sports, activities such as tennis, bowling or hiking may come to mind. But did you know birding is one of the fast- est-growing spectator leisure activity in the world? About 80 million peo- ple of all ages and physical abilities are involved in some manner of bird watching.
Second only to gardening, birding is a leisure activity that offers great opportunities for Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development families to spend time together. Birding is part of the many activities available in the wildlife and fisheries section of the environmental science curriculum.
Several educational modules are available on the website to help club members get started in a birding pro- ject.
Why is birding so popular? Aside from spending time together as a family, participants also get to be outside, spend time in the elements, learn life skills and gain a better un- derstanding and appreciation of the natural world, said Kevin Allen, Ok- lahoma State University Extension youth wildlife specialist and profes- sor in the Department of Natural Re- source Ecology and Management.
“Bird watchers range from the casual observer of birds at their backyard feeders to those who plan extensive trips to increase the number of birds they’ve seen and identified,” Allen said. “4-H’ers and their families can get involved in birding simply by observing birds in their own yard. If they choose, they can invest in a pair
of inexpensive binoculars. Youth can get into this project for a very small investment.”
A goal of the 4-H program is to pro- vide experiential learning opportuni- ties for members, and birding can do that. It can provide club members with opportunities to develop life skills such as decision making, goal setting, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and record keeping.
Youth also will benefit from learning through the process of elimination, which helps foster greater critical thinking skills. Allen said the birding project can give youth an opportunity to learn more about Oklahoma’s bio- diversity and various ecoregions such as the crosstimbers and grass- land areas.
In all 4-H projects, information starts at the basic level, and birding is no different. Participants start with iden- tifying by size and shape, then start narrowing down from there to identi- fy a specific bird.
Allen said a lot of people tend to fo- cus on the color of the bird, but that can be deceiving in some cases. Be- cause birds molt in the fall and spring, the color can change. Starting with the size and shape helps get the bird into the right classification, then they can use color to hone their bird- identification skills.
“Birding also involves animal sci- ence, biology, environmental sci- ence, natural resources, ecology and
geography, which can help 4-H’ers and their families develop a greater understanding and appreciation of our natural world,” he said.
More advanced birders can learn the various parts of the bird to help with identification. They also can use birdsongs in that identification pro- cess. Club members may be in their backyard or other nature area and hear the birds but can’t see them.
That advanced skill of identification by song can be a lot of fun.
“I encourage families who are look- ing for activities to do together to look into birding. Check with the local Audubon Society for activities in the area. Take a weekend trip to a different area of the state to see what species of birds can be found,” Allen said.
For more information about the 4-H birding project, contact the county OSU Extension office. Also, more birding information is available from the Cornell Lab of Orinthology.
4-H CLOVER CONNECTION
http://oces.okstate.edu/garfield http://oces.okstate.edu/nwdistrict/4-h www.oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/
www.facebook.com/4H.garfieldcounty
316 E. Oxford Enid, OK 73701
(580) 237-1228
OCTOBER, 2021
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments cooperating. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or status as a veteran and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Jessica Nickels
~ [email protected]Rick Nelson ~
[email protected]GARFIELD COUNTY
Introducing youth to birding through 4-H
Achievement Reception October 24
th@ 2:30 at the
NOC Gantz Center
2498 E Maine Ave, Enid, OK 73701
Please RSVP by October 19
Anyone that entered a record book or completes a Standard of Achievement form will be recognized.
316 E. Oxford, Enid, OK 73701 580-237-1228 Page 2
Tulsa State Fair Sep. 30—Oct. 10 National 4-H Week Oct 3-9
Cooking Club Oct. 5
County Mtg—Science Night Oct. 6 Photography Club Oct. 7 West Dist. Lead. Conf. Oct. 13-15 State Archery Oct. 23 Achievement Reception Oct. 24 County Cloverbuds Oct. 27
Sewing Club Oct 28
Cooking Club Nov. 2
4-H Has Talent Nov 20
DATES TO REMEMBER
Next PLO Meeting OCTOBER 18, 2021
AT 5:30 P.M.
2021-22 COUNTY OFFICERS
President— Summer Prince
V. President—Ethan Haggard
Secretary—Madison Nickels
Reporter—Joe Sharp
Recreation Leader—Shelbi Prince
Executive– Hayden Deeds &
Conner Quintero
F.U.N. Club
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
ACHIEVEMENT RECEPTION
Are you interested in photography?
Come meet monthly and learn more on how to take great pictures.
Mandy Schroeder,
4-H Alum and State Photography Project winner will be the leader for this
project club.
First meeting is October 7
th@ 4:30 at the Extension office.
The next meeting for the F.U.N. Club with Conner Quintero will be October 21 @ 6:00.
Watch Facebook for location.
October 6
this National Science Night!
Galactic Quest explores the history of humans in space, the technology and resources needed for missions, and the obstacles humans encounter in orbit.
Come join the fun at the Extension office October 6
that 6:00.
316 E. Oxford, Enid, OK 73701 580-237-1228 Page 3
Sewing Club ~ October 28 @ 4:30
Not sure what we are making. Please sign up by October 22 by calling the office and a supply list will be sent to you.
Cooking Club
We will meet October 5th @ 4:30.
Please call the office to sign-up!
Archery Practice Starts October 5th @ 6:00 at Glenwood Elementary School.
Office Update!
Ruth Ann Landwehr has recently retired and we wish her the best!
Donna Groneweg has been hired to fill her position.
Donna will be starting October 4th.
T-shirt will be a mint color soft shirt similar to color in the picture above.
ORDERS DUE October 15
thto the Extension office.
Name: ____________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________
Shirts are $15
Size YS – YXL and Adult S – 4X Available Please say Y (youth) or A (adult)
Total: ________
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Garfield County 4-H
Size Qty Total
X $15
X $15
X $15
X $15
Garfield County Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma State University
316 E. Oxford
Enid, Oklahoma 73701
IN THIS ISSUE
Achievement Reception 2
F.U.N. Club 2
Photography Club 2
PLO Meeting 2
County-wide Science Mtg. 3 Sewing/ Cooking Club 3 Archery Practice 3
The Garfield County 4-H News is published by the Garfield County Development Program, 316 E. Oxford, Enid, OK 73701 (580) 237-1228.
Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Jessica Nickels
Ext. Educator 4-H & Youth Development
Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more infor- mation, visit http:///eeo.okstate.edu.