Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Adpt-A-Duck Wd Duck Curriculum Intrductin Objectives: Describe the viewpint f a dabbling duck while dabbling underwater thrugh grup discussin, in writing, and/r thrugh waterclr painting Identify waterfwl fd surces frm a wetland thrugh grup discussin, in writing, and/r thrugh waterclr painting Demnstrate/describe dump nesting grup discussin and/r thrugh acting Identify the prs and cns f dump nesting thrugh grup discussin Identify the imprtance f wetlands fr waterfwl survival thrugh grup discussin Materials: 4-H Wetlands and Waterfwl Kit (cntact yur lcal Delaware 4-H ffice fr mre infrmatin) 6 tin cans with edges taped in bx Plastic wrap Black trash bags Rubber bands Tape Aquarium rcks Aquarium plants Fishing wrms Large- and medium-sized rcks Shells Plastic Easter eggs Waterclr paints Plastic cups with water Waterclr paper Paint brushes Several small cardbard bxes Wd shavings Feathers Pencils Nature Ntebks (r ntebk paper) Instructins: G thrugh each f the sectins belw and lead discussin n each tpic, then cmplete the assciated science and/r art activity assciated with each. The sectins/activities are as fllws: p. 1 Adpt-A-Duck Wd Duck: Curriculum Intrductin p. 2 What is a Wd Duck? p. 3 Wd Ducks are Dabbling Ducks p. 4 Activity: Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader: Critter Scpes p. 6 Activity: The Wrld frm the Pint f View f a Dabbling Duck p. 7 Wd Ducks are Cavity Nesters p. 8 Activity: Let s Play a Nesting Game p. 9 Why are Wetlands Imprtant fr Wd Duck Survival? p. 9 Activity: Create a Cnservatin Message Fllwing the Adpt-A-Duck curriculum, visit: http://extensin.udel.edu/4h/junir-duck-stamp-prgram/ fr mre infrmatin n the Delaware Junir Duck Stamp Prgram (DE JDSP) and state cmpetitin deadlines http://www.fws.gv/birds/educatin/junir-duck-stamp-cnservatin-prgram/junir-duck-stampcntest-infrmatin.php fr mre infrmatin n JDSP cmpetitin rules and resurces Develped by A. Starcher, December 2015 Wd Duck 1
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts What is a Wd Duck? Wd ducks (Aix spnsa) are a type f dabbling duck cmmn in Delaware, but are fund thrughut Nrth America. During migratin, these waterfwl fly t the suthern part f their ranges using the Atlantic and Pacific Flyways, respectively; hwever, many are permanent residents due t the little difference between winter habitats frm the habitat at ther times f the year. Because they are cavity nesters, wd ducks prefer frested wetland habitats fr breeding. Male wd ducks have a crested head that is iridescent green and purple with a white stripe leading frm the eye t the end f the crest, and anther narrwer white stripe frm the base f the bill t the tip f the crest. The thrat is white and the chest is burgundy with white flecks, gradually grading int a white belly. The bill is brightly patterned black, white and red. The legs and feet are a dull straw yellw and the iris is red. The male call is a thin, high, rising jeeeeee. Female wd ducks have a graybrwn head and neck with a brwnish, green, glssed crest. A white teardrp shaped patch surrunds the brwnish-black eye. The thrat is white and the breast is gray-brwn stippled with white, fading int the white belly. The back is live brwn with a shimmer f iridescent green. The bill is blue-gray and the legs and feet are dull grayish-yellw. Females utter a drawnut, rising squeal, -eek, when flushed, and a sharp cr-r-ek, cr-e-ek fr an alarm call. Ducks Unlimited Waterfwl ID Wd Duck T listen t a wd duck call, visit http://www.ducks.rg/hunting/waterfwl-id/wd-duck#ad-image-0. Images and descriptin qutatin retrieved n 6 December 2015 frm http://www.ducks.rg/hunting/ waterfwl-id/wd-duck#ad-image-0 Wd Duck 2
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Wd Ducks are Dabbling Ducks Wd ducks are a type f dabbling duck (als called a puddle duck). Read the infrmatin n Puddle Duck Behavir frm the Junir Duck Stamp Educatr Guide and discuss with the participants. Fllw this discussin with the Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader: Critter Scpe bservatin and the The wrld frm the pint f view f a dabbling duck painting activities. USFWS JDSP Educatr Guide Puddle Duck Behavir retrieved n 6 December 2015 frm http://www.fws.gv/migratrybirds/ pdf/educatin/junirduckstamp-educatrguide.pdf Wd Duck 3
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Critter Scpe T prepare the critter scpes, fllw the directins given in the Critter Scpe instructins belw. These can be used with the Wetlands and Waterfwl kit indrs r they may be taken utside and used in a pnd r wetland. *Nte: If using the critter scpes utside, it is imprtant that the participants are supervised at all times. Wetland Kit Preparatin: T use the critter scpes with the Wetlands and Waterfwl kit, begin by remving all f the bin s cntents. Using masking tape, tape a black garbage bag arund three sides f the bin, leaving ne f the lnger sides expsed t light (see image belw). Using the black garbage bag in this way helps cnceal the cntents f the bin frm the participants while they are nt ding the activity, but als allws sufficient light in t see the bin s cntents while they are cmpleting the activity. Pur aquarium rcks int the bin, and tp with larger rcks, shells, fishing wrms, and the aquarium plants with bases. Fill the bin with DISTILLED WATER. Allw the aquarium plants withut bases t flat n tp f the water. Wetland Kit Use: Tell the participants that they will get t be a dabbling duck and see what a dabbling duck sees while it is dabbling underwater. The participants can cme t the side with the black garbage bag t lk int the artificial wetland using their critter scpes. Discuss with them what a dabbling duck sees. Ask them what they see in this wetland that wuld be gd fd fr a dabbling duck. They shuld list vegetatin, rts (nt seen but implied), wrms, and mllusks (indicated by the shells). Discuss with them ther waterfwl fd surces in a wetland. Wetland Kit Cleanup: Plastic wrap used fr critter scpes and the black trash bag may be discarded. Remve flating aquarium plants and place n paper twels t air dry. Carefully pur the water frm the bin. Remve all aquarium plants, large rcks, shells, and fishing wrms, and place n a paper twel t air dry. Use paper twels t sak up as much water frm the small aquarium rcks as pssible, and then allw t air dry. Allw all items t air dry cmpletely befre returning t the bin in their prper cntainers. Black garbage bag n three sides helps prevent yuth frm seeing the bin s cntents frm the side One side nt cvered by the black garbage bag lets light in t see the bin s cntents Light enters ne expsed side f the bin t illuminate bin s cntents Aquarium plants flat n tp f the water t make a mre realistic artificial wetland Wd Duck 4
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader: Critter Scpes Critter Scpe Did yu ever wnder what life is like under water? Well nw is yur chance t find ut where different insects and their larvae r nymphs live in a stream. The critter scpe is an explring tl that can peek int the lifestyles f the wet and wiggly wrld. Materials a can pener a clean cffee can r large juice can waterprf tape r duct tape clear plastic wrap a large and strng rubber band scissrs Prcedure 1. Carefully remve bth ends f the can and cver sharp edges with tape. 2. Place plastic wrap arund ne end f the can, leaving abut ne inch extra arund the edge. 3. Put a rubber band arund the can and plastic t keep the plastic wrap tight. 4. Cut excess plastic wrap away and put tape ver the rubber band and plastic wrap. 5. Take yur critter scpe fr a test run in a sink. Lk thrugh the pen end and place the clsed end (the ne with the plastic n it) in the water. 6. Nw yu are able t visit the wet and wiggly wrld f a stream. Nte: Yu might want t try using a clear plastic cver frm a fast fd salad as a critter scpe t! Darby Duck the Aquatic Crusader Critter Scpe activity instructins retrieved n 10 March 2013 frm http://www.epa.gv/ww/nps/kids/critterscpe.html Wd Duck 5
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts The Wrld frm the Pint f View f a Dabbling Duck Fllwing the Critter Scpe Activity described abve, cmplete the waterclr prtin f this exercise using the instructins belw. The participants shuld use the bservatins they made during the Critter Scpe activity t help them develp images fr their waterclr painting. USFWS JDSP Yuth Guide The Wrld frm the Pint f View f a Dabbling Duck retrieved n 6 December 2015 frm http://www.fws.gv/migratrybirds/pdf/educatin/junirduckstamp-yuthguide.pdf Wd Duck 6
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Wd Ducks are Cavity Nesters Wd ducks are cavity nesters. Cavity nesters make nests in cavities, such as hles in trees. Because they can t create hles fr their nests, wd ducks depend n hles created by ther animals r damage frm decay, wind, r lightning. Wd ducks will als lay their clutches f eggs in man-made nesting bxes, such as the ne pictured belw (USFWS). Cavity Nesters and Dump Nesting Nt surprisingly, nesting sites are mre limited fr cavity nesters than they are fr upland- and verwaternesting ducks. Nesting cavities are ften made in trees by the excavatins f pileated wdpeckers r are created by decay caused by ld age r damage frm wind r lightning. Althugh tree cavities are relatively safe frm mst predatrs, female ducks must select a nest site that has an entry hle large enugh fr the birds t enter and a cavity rmy enugh t hld a clutch f eggs. As a result, cavity nesters must carefully explre and scut fr suitable cavities befre making a decisin abut a nest site. Wd duck females typically build their nests in tree cavities near wetlands. When a prspective cavity is fund, a hen wd duck will land in the tree and carefully inspect the site fr a variety f characteristics, including size, shape and security frm predatrs and the elements. In many areas, wd ducks have difficulty finding suitable natural nesting sites. -Jann Walker and Sctt Stephens ( Nest Site Selectin ) And Sctt Stephens ( Wd Duck Bxes ) http://bi3520.nicerweb.cm/lcked/chap/ch02/adaptatins.html US Fish and Wildlife Service. Yuth Guide: Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram: Cnnecting Yuth with Nature Thrugh Science and Art! p.98. Walker, J. and Stephens, S. Nest Site Selectin: Where ducks make their nests is vital t the birds' breeding success. Retrieved n 29 January 2014 frm http://www.ducks.rg/cnservatin/waterfwl-bilgy/understanding-waterfwl-nest-siteselectin Stephens, S. Wd Duck Bxes. Retrieved n 29 January 2014 frm http://www.ducks.rg/cnservatin/waterfwl-bilgy/wd-duck-bxes Wd Duck 7
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Let s Play a Nesting Game! Nw, let s make a nest fr yur eggs like a female wd duck wuld. Can t find a suitable place t make a nest? Practice dump nesting! Materials: Several small cardbard bxes Wd shavings Feathers Plastic Easter eggs (enugh fr each participants t receive five eggs) Instructins: Set up 3-5 unifrm cntainers with ripped up newspaper r pet bedding (ptinal) t serve as cavities fr nesting. Place these in varius lcatins arund the rm, but dn t tell the participants where they are lcated. *Nte: Cntainers and ptinal nesting material are nt prvided in this kit. Tell the participants that they are wd ducks and that they have t find a cavity t make a nest in, but there s a prblem there are mre wd duck hens wanting t make nests than there are cavities available. Ask them What des that mean yu ll have t d? and they shuld respnd by saying dump nesting. The bjective is t dump nest while still keeping as many clutches frm being abandned as pssible. Rules: They have t put their entire clutch (set f eggs) int ne nest. The first hen t lay her clutch in a nest must stand by that nest. Any dump nesters wh lay their eggs in her nest after her must return t their seats. If a nest has mre than 15 eggs in it upn cmpletin f the activity, it must be abandned (this number can be adjusted depending n grup size). Any nest with less than 15 eggs is assumed t be successfully raised. Prvide each participant with up t 5 plastic Easter eggs frm the kit t serve as their clutch (this number can be adjusted depending n grup size). Allw them t play the game. Cunt up hw many eggs were successfully raised as a result f dump nesting and hw many had t be abandned. Discuss the prs and cns f dump nesting with the participants. Wd Duck 8
Federal Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Thrugh the Arts Why are Wetlands Imprtant fr Wd Duck Survival? Wetlands, and the uplands surrunding them, prvide habitat essential fr waterfwl survival. Vegetatin, as well as sme animals (invertebrates and fish), fund in wetland envirnments are primary fd surces fr waterfwl. These areas als ffer shelter fr building nests, incubating eggs, and raising yung. Create a Cnservatin Message Create a cnservatin message inspired by the Wd Duck s dependence n wetlands fr their survival. Use the Junir Duck Stamp Prgram Cnservatin Examples belw t assist yu in develping this message. The Cnservatin Message participants prepare tday can cmpete in the State Cmpetitin with their Artwrk. Examples f Cnservatin Messages The Cnservatin Message is meant t be a mtt, saying r guiding principle expressed as a shrt statement that expresses what students have learned, experienced, and think abut nature and wildlife cnservatin. It encurages students t use language arts, alng with their paintings and drawings, t help recrd what they see, feel and think. When develping their message, students might want t ask themselves the fllwing questins: What have yu learned abut ducks, geese, r swans? What d yu like abut waterfwl? What is the mst imprtant thing yu learned abut wetlands? Using all yur senses, hw wuld yu describe a wetland? Why is it imprtant t learn abut cnservatin effrts? What d yu think are the greatest threats t waterfwl habitats? Hw can yu persnally impact waterfwl habitat? Hw can yu change the wrld? While students are encuraged t read published wrks and cllect their favrite nature-riented sayings, we again cautin them against plagiarizing and cpying qutes frm thers. Belw are the Cnservatin Messages that have been judged best f shw at the Federal Junir Duck Stamp Cntest. They are examples f the many thughts students express each year. When cnservatin becmes a way f life, it benefits all life. Chris Thiessen, Kentucky, 2006 Cnservatin is the key t a better envirnment fr all. Paul Willey, age 18, Arkansas, 2007 Cnservatin is ur respect fr the past, participatin f the present, and r respnsibility t the future. Jeriel Chalk, Clrad, 2008 Our envirnment, ur respnsibility, ur future. Christpher Vekel, age 8, New Mexic, 2009 Wildlife speaks nly the truth abut ur planet s future, but ur greatest challenge is learning t listen. Patrick Hull, age 14, Arizna, 2010 Spread yur wings, create a splash, make a difference. Allisn Armstrng, age 17, Arkansas, 2011 Valra, Prteje y Preserva su Habitat. ( Appreciate, Prtect and Preserve Yur Habitat. ) Amarylis Mntalv, age 15, Puert Ric, 2012 Nature is ur histry, cnservatin is ur future. Samuel Lambert, 11, Kentucky, 2013 Cnserving a habitat is like painting a backgrund. Withut it the picture is nt cmplete. Max Cheng, age 15, Califrnia, 2014 Nature painted us the wetlands, but it is we wh must cnserve and appreciate the art. Sherry Xie, age 14, Virginia, 2015 USFWS JDSP Examples f Cnservatin Messages retrieved n 23 Nvember 2015 frm http://www.fws.gv/migratrybirds/pdf/educatin/junir-duck-stamp-cnservatin-prgram/example CnservatinMessages.pdf Wd Duck 9