Fifty-five join Floating Classroom on bird calls and ways they can be used to help monitor waterway health

The Aug. 22, 2023, Floating Classroom aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport drew a wide variety of people for sessions on identifying various types of bird calls and learning how those calls may be used to better monitor stream health.

Dr. Mary Morrison, of Lycoming College, and Bonalyn Mosteller, both representing the Lycoming College Audubon Society, ran the upstairs presentation on common bird calls and how to identify them.

The lower-level discussion was led by Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky and Assistant Research Professor at Penn State, Brandon Forsythe, on the association's Birdnet project.

People on the lower level got to see some of the tech behind the Birdnet project, including Raspberry Pi units and other components that allow technology to help monitor and protect environmental resources. 

Check out more about our Floating Classroom programs and upcoming programs by clicking here.