A trip Saturday to Point Pelee National Park and Holiday Beach Conservation Area was one of the most memorable experiences of his undergraduate education, says biology student Ilias Berberi.

He was one of 72 students in professor Dan Mennill’s third-year course in ornithology to take part in the field trip, which focused both on bird identification, and on different research techniques for studying migratory birds.

There is no substitute for watching the fall migration in the wild, Dr. Mennill said.

“We spent the morning at the tip of Point Pelee, watching hawks, falcons, and vultures traveling south through the Great Lakes,” he said. “In the afternoon, the volunteers at the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory taught our undergraduate students about techniques for capturing migratory hawks and songbirds, and about the importance of censusing migrants.”

Berberi said it was exciting to apply knowledge gained in class to the field.

 “The field trip helped show me that research is definitely a career I want to pursue,” said the fourth-year biology major. “Plus, looking up to see the sky full of migrating birds is a sight that everyone should experience!”

Milan Radulj, a fourth-year student of behaviour, cognition and neuroscience, said he had a great time.

“I found it really interesting to learn of the conservation efforts to protect birds that are not only seen by locals, but also the many thousands of people who see those birds along their migration routes,” he said. “It is refreshing to have a course that stimulates my interests both inside and outside of the classroom!”

The trip also gave students a new appreciation for the migration hot-spots on Lake Erie’s north shore.

“Our trip made me realize how privileged we are to have a world-renowned migration spot right in our backyard,” said Sarah Wong. “We’re so fortunate to be able to observe such a diversity of fascinating bird species.”

Photos of the students’ outdoor learning adventure can be found on Mennill’s website: www.uwindsor.ca/dmennill.