TASK I 

1. Discuss in pairs your answers/opinions to the following questions: a. How would you define a bird ? b. What is the study of birds called ? Why is it so fascinating to watch birds ? c. What has made birds so successful in all parts of the world ? d. Can you imagine the world without birds ? Discuss what the world would then be like. e. Should birds be protected at all ? Discuss . 

2. Make use of any resource material you like such as the bird-books /animal encylopedia, textbook, websites etc. Give a general outline of the following: 

a. External features of a bird. Make a drawing to help you explain to your partner. b. What is it that makes the birds adapted to fly ? c. What are the main changes seen from reptiles to birds to make them so successful in the air. d. Why do birds like penguins or ostriches not have to fly ? 

3. You may use the website for ‘Birdlife Finland’ to discuss the following : 

a. Why is Finland such an exotic place for birdwatchers ? b. Name some of the migratory offshore and water birds seen in Finland. Make a list of these against the time/month of the year that you could look for them. c. Which is the Finnish national bird ? d. Give the common Finnish and English names of Finnish rarities in terms of bird species. 

TASK II: 

1. Visit the Zoological museum of the Oulu University . Take a bird guidebook along. a. Note down the names of the common bird species found in the Oulu area. Give English, Finnish as well as Latin names for each of them in your list. b. Note down the migratory birds of Finland. c. Which are the protected bird species of Finland you see displayed in the museum ? d. Draw a food chain using the names of animals you see in the museum including a predatory bird. e. Draw a food web including the Finnish national bird and another including the Finnish owl. 

TASK III during spring or autumn : 

Make use of the resource guides for bird identification. 

1. Observe the common bird species around your home and school area for atleast a week everyday. Enter the birds into your bird-watching diary to include the bird`s Finnish name, English name, Latin name, what the bird was doing, where and when observed as well as any other comments you wish to note down. 

2. Make a similar separate page in your diary for birds that are not commonly seen around your home or school but which you might have spotted by chance somewhere. 

3. How exciting and interesting is such bird-watching to you ? Do you enjoy identifying and observing birds ?