Ornithology

Ornithology is included under Adventure Activities because the pursuit is best followed out-of-doors.

Grade 1
Awarded to Boys who have attended regularly a course of instruction and:
1.	Show an ability to recognise 20 of the more common local birds.
2.	Visit two local habitats (woods, park, lake, etc. - even town centre) and discover any differences in their bird life.
3.	Know something of bird migration. Know some birds which are summer and winter visitors.
4.	Start a notebook to record your observations.
5.	Make a feather collection. Try and work out which birds the feathers are from, and from which parts.

Grade 2
Awarded to Boys who have attended regularly a course of instruction and:
1.	(Show an improved ability to recognise local birds.)
	Show a good knowledge of the fieldcraft involved in watching birds.
	(Perhaps including use of binoculars where appropriate.)
2.	Have a knowledge of the structure and parts of a bird.
3.	Keep a regular log of your observations - perhaps on a regular visit to a study area.
4.	Be aware of the importance of song and territory in the lives of birds. Show ability to recognise bird songs or calls.
5.	Keep a scrapbook of items involving wild birds, such as the threat from oil pollution.

Grade 3
Awarded to Boys who hold Grade 2 gained in the previous session and have attended a further course of instruction and:
1.	Demonstrate competence at recognising most of the birds in the local area.
2.	Show a good knowledge of the main parts of the bird. Show ability to make good descriptions and field notes.
3.	Show a knowledge of the threats to birds, the conservation movement, and the law concerning wild birds.
4.	Keep regular records of birds in a study area, preferably spanning two seasons.
5.	Make a special personal study. This could be of a particular species or habitat, or taking part in an official survey, helping with conservation work on a bird reserve, etc.

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