Think of the times you have been hurrying across campus, lost in thought as you rush to your next commitment, and you catch a glimpse of a duck gliding across Zumberge Pond. Or a Northern Cardinal perched on a tree branch, enduring a snowy day with you. Or maybe even one of the bald eagles that nest nearby the Valley Campus soaring overhead.
These birds help ground us in that moment and enhance the environment on our campuses. And the creatures on and near the campuses provide research opportunities for faculty members and staff while offering a chance for students to participate in the increasingly popular pastime of birding, which has more than doubled in popularity in the past decade.
Read more about the Birds of GVSU in GVNext, and stay tuned for upcoming stories about how Lakers are flocking to the popular hobby.
BIRDING RESOURCES
Many free mobile apps are available to help users more easily identify and track birds.
eBird
EBird, created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is the largest free online citizen science project used to track bird sightings.
Merlin Bird ID
Merlin Bird ID, also created by Cornell, allows users to quickly identify a bird by uploading a photo, recording a singing bird or answering a few questions about the bird they are trying to identify.
GVSU's Library of Things
Birding Kit
Ready to go birding?
Stop by the Mary Idema Pew Library to check out a birdwatching kit from their Library of Things.