Videos for Educators: The Oregon Vesper Sparrow

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The Oregon Vesper Sparrow

Ecology, Scientific Monitoring, Habitat Restoration

The Vesper Meadow Education Program is excited to share three educational videos focused on our namesake species, the Oregon Vesper Sparrow, for use in your digital or home classrooms! 

These videos were made in partnership with the Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO), and with support from the Carpenter Foundation. The content was created for a wide audience (grades 3-8), and is designed to further engage students and teachers in using community science platforms like eBird Northwest, online resources developed by KBO, and place-based and/or classroom visits at/with the Vesper Meadow Education Program. 

Part One: Ecology

Focus Topics: bird identification, migration, habitat, and population decline

Questions/Discussion Topics for Part 1:

  • What is an Oregon Vesper Sparrow (OVS), and how can someone identify them?

  • What does “Vesper” mean?

  • What does the scientific name for the OVS mean?

  • What is the migration of the OVS?

  • When does the OVS live in southern Oregon?

  • What part of its life-cycle does the OVS spend in southern Oregon?

  • What parts of the landscape does the OVS spend its time in southern Oregon?

  • How many OVS are there, and what is happening to that number over time?

Part Two: Science

Focus Topics: Scientific monitoring techniques including spot mapping, color banding, GPS tracking, nest searching, and MOTUS stations

Questions/Discussion Topics for Part Two:

  • What are some ways that scientists monitor birds?

  • How and why do scientists capture birds they are studying?

  • What is a MOTUS station?

  • How does it differ from color banding birds or tracking with GPS?

  • Where was the first MOTUS station put up in Oregon?

Part Three: People Power

Focus Topics: using eBird Northwest, history of land management, native vs. non-native species, habitat restoration techniques

Questions/Discussion Topics for Part 3:

  • Who managed the lands at Vesper Meadow in the past?

  • Why were non-native plants planted at Vesper Meadow?

  • What are some ways that people are helping native plants grow there now?

  • Use eBird Northwest to learn about one bird that lives in your area.

Jeanine Moy