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	Field Ecology of Birds (Biol 305)</h1>
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	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Great Lakes Campus - May Session</em></span></h4>
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	Course Description</h2>
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	Biology, behavior, ecology and identification of birds. Work is primarily conducted in the field and covers the major habitats of northern lower Michigan, including wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests, dunes, and open field communities. Emphasis will be placed on identification of the spring bird fauna of northern lower Michigan by sight and by call. Prerequisite: one course in introductory biology or zoology. (4-credits)&nbsp;<em>Field.</em></p>
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	<strong>Professor:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="/courses/faculty_and_fellows/#Dr.%20Kenneth%20Petersen/">Dr. Ken Petersen</a><br />
	<strong>Meets:</strong>&nbsp;Monday-Friday</p>
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	<a class="shinyBtn" href="{filedir_11}courses/register/" style="text-align: center;">Register now!</a></p>
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	Knowledge Gained</h2>
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			Classification of most local breeding birds</div>
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			Important natural history aspects of some important species and families of birds</div>
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			Understanding of how bird form and function fit birds to their flying ways and to particular habitats</div>
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			Detailed knowledge of bird behavioral ecology (mating, nesting, territoriality, foraging, communication, migration, etc.) and population ecology</div>
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			Explicit linkage of knowledge of bird biology, ecology, and diversity to stewardship principles and concerns</div>
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	Skills Developed</h2>
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			Ability to identify most local breeding birds by sight (and some by sound)</div>
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			Cultivation or honing of observational skills in the field, and becoming proficient in the use of common instruments for bird observation and identification</div>
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	Field observation skills, especially with birds, are useful for and applicable to outdoor education and interpretation, consulting work where detailed field surveys take place, and further work or schooling, such as graduate school, that requires keen observation.</p>
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	Field Experiences</h2>
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	Exploration, discovery, bird identification and observation at the following locales:</p>
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		Papoose Lake</li>
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		Hartwick Pines State Park</li>
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		Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore</li>
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		Grass River Nature Area</li>
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		Arcadia Dunes</li>
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		Jordan River Valley</li>
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		Twin Lake Road, Blue Lake Road</li>
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		Kirtland&rsquo;s Warbler breeding areas</li>
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		Wilderness State Park</li>
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		Lake Skegemog Swamp</li>
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		Houghton Lake</li>
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		North Higgins Lake State Park</li>
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		Au Sable Campus - Habitat analysis coupled with bird survey</li>
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