Student Research Reports

This project was chosen because climate change has been in the news, reported as a problem with increased heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. A project on the GLOBE website from 2012 was Snipe (Gallinago gallinago delicata), Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) As Indicator Species On Climate Change Based On Migrational Patterns in Ohio by Justin Rumel. This was the inspiration to “take the next step.” This posed the question, do changes in winter abundance of selected bird species in Wooster, Ohio correlate with long-term air temperature trends associated with climate change? Ohio birds selected for this 2025 project are American Black Duck (Anas rubripes), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), Dark-Eyed Junco (Juncohyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis), and European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). A variety of habits were researched when selecting this list. The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data was used. The hypothesis is during the course of this 30-year study, bird sightings across spectrum of species targeted should increase. Methods utilized were GLOBE Program protocols and time series analysis from CBC data sets, incorporating annual weather patterns. Results varied from species dependent upon situational variables such as feeding, habitat, and breeding requirements. Conclusions were as varied as the results, however, overall suggesting an increase in these bird populations in Ohio. The findings supported the hypothesis for 6 of the targeted bird species but the findings did not support 4 targeted bird species.