Local Student Wins Science Fair with Songbird Research

Nature Collective’s Bird Count Data Aids in Student Project

Captivated by a small lemon-lime songbird perched outside Rhoades Middle School, sixth-grader Adhara was eager to focus on the species for an upcoming research project. While she had always been interested in birds—watching them at local parks, on her travels, and while hiking—she had never studied them in depth. With free rein to explore any topic of interest, Adhara took the opportunity to learn more about the striking Swinhoe’s White-eye (Zosterops simplex).

Originally from Asia, this subspecies of White-eye was introduced to Orange County, California, and now occupies habitats spanning from Washington to Mexico. Experts at the National Audubon Society predict this bird may soon become more common throughout the United States. After learning that Swinhoe’s White-eye is not native to the area, Adhara began to wonder what impact it might have on the local ecosystem.

Above: Swinhoe’s White-eye

After her science teacher introduced her to the Nature Collective Bird Count, Adhara took the initiative to contact us, gathering additional information from knowledgeable staff and bird-count volunteers. Nature Collective maintains a detailed database of bird sightings at the San Elijo Lagoon. With nearly continuous data from 1973 to the present, volunteers conduct monthly counts to track species over time. Whether a large institution or a local student, anyone can access this public data on our website.

Above: Adhara at Science and Engineering Fair

In addition to using Nature Collective’s Bird Count data, Adhara spent a sunny morning with her teacher and mother at an immersive Discovery Tour of the San Elijo Lagoon. “We were able to really bond and learn a lot from this experience,” Adhara said. She added that the knowledge gained from the tour was “crucial for my project,” which later earned her first place at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.

Above: Walking along San Elijo Boardwalk

Adhara’s story captures the heart of our mission at Nature Collective: to drive a passion for nature, for all. We believe that when people are given the opportunity to connect with nature, they are more likely to protect it. This proves true in Adhara’s case. This curious and driven student hopes to continue to learn about the world around her, with a particular interest in endangered species.

Above: Adhara tracking bird observations on tablet