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From solving Rubik’s cubes to sign language, there are hundreds of organizations that students can get involved with on campus. In this ongoing series, we shine a light on a few of them. See who’s in the spotlight this time.
When people think of San Diego, America’s “Birdiest County” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But we are! With over 500 bird species documented here every year, local news outlets, bird enthusiasts, and media all agree that San Diego holds the largest bird biodiversity in the country.
With such a wide variety of bird species comes an even larger community of “birders” — people who observe and study wild birds as a hobby. Unsurprisingly, UC San Diego now has its very own “flock,” known as the Bird Club.
But what exactly is the Bird Club? Co-president and co-founder Nao Song, a 3rd-year marine biology student with a geosciences minor, puts it simply. “We are a club for the UC San Diego community to come together and enjoy birds.” Ranging from events such as bird watching to an avian version of “Jeopardy,” the Bird Club is focused on education and spreading the love of all things bird related.
In addition to fun activities, the club also provides opportunities for its members to engage in bird research and citizen science. One example is BirdSafe, a student-led project mentored by the San Diego Bird Alliance where students survey the biodiversity of birds during major migratory periods and monitor for any injured birds.
Principal member Joel Kwiatkowski, a 2nd-year molecular and cell biology student, puts it best. “Birding can be just as simple as being outside and looking at birds; it can be specific, casual, and even competitive.”