Bird Study was one of the first merit badges created in 1911, because a true outdoorsperson can tell a lot about what’s happening outdoors by observing birds.
Birds are important because they keep systems in balance: they pollinate plants, disperse seeds, scavenge carcasses and recycle nutrients back into the earth. But they also feed our spirits, marking for us the passage of the seasons, moving us to create art and poetry, inspiring us to flight and reminding us that we are not only on, but of, this earth. —Melanie Driscoll, Director of bird conservation for the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Flyway
The merit badge expands on the second class requirement of identifying wild animals and immerses scouts into the niche world of bird watching. If you are prepared, and have read the pamphlet, this class will help you fulfill a majority of the requirements for this badge.
The Class will be conducted in two sessions. The first is in the classroom on Monday, May 1 from 7-9PM followed by a Field Day at Cromwell Valley Park on May 7 from 8AM-11AM.
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, will be taught during the class.
- 5, their list of 20 birds, scouts will go out in the field by themselves or with other Scouts and parents and identify birds on their own – they can also join in organized Baltimore Bird Club trips, the dates for which will be provided to scouts at the class.
- 7 we will do as part of our Cromwell Valley field trip.
- For 7 A. 1. Scouts will be taught to use the eBird listing app on their phone and how field guides and Merlin to identify birds by sound as well as sight.
- 8 or it can be done after first class
Presenter: Marty Brazeau, Baltimore Bird Club member (BBC), is a retired Baltimore County School Librarian and is currently an Academic Advisor at the Community College of Baltimore County. Marty has birded in the Baltimore area since childhood and has served as the BBC Youth Birding Leader and the Junior Naturalist Coordinator at Oregon Ridge Park. He has completed a
masters degree in Outdoor Education. Marty has visited Costa Rica nine times to film birds
Things to remember to bring for this Merit Badge Class:
- Merit Badge Blue Card properly filled out and signed off by your Scoutmaster
- Bird Study Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Scout Uniform
- Weather appropriate clothing for the time of year and location of the class for outdoor participation
- Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to this merit badge which may also include a Merit Badge Workbook for reference with notes
- A positive Scouting focus and attitude
The Natural History Society of Maryland is a volunteer-led non-profit organization, so the fee you pay will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible.