Eskimo Curlew

Activity 1A- Meeting the Bird

Spend some time looking at the gallery image of the eskimo curlew, reflecting on the following questions:

• What led you to choose this bird? 
• What colors, forms, or images stand out to you?
• What do you feel when you look at the bird? 

Learn: Read the short paragraph about the eskimo curlew and follow this link to learn more.

The ESKIMO CURLEW is a migratory shorebird, but it also spends time in grasslands, feeding on grasshoppers.

Decades ago, the Eskimo Curlew was extremely common in North America, with a population in the many millions. Unfortunately, the species has not been seen for the past 55 years and hunting and the destruction of grasslands are thought to have influenced its decline. The species is currently considered endangered in the United States, but in Canada, it has already been deemed extinct.

Scientists hope the plight of this shorebird will inspire protection for other troubled curlew species.

(audubon.org)

As you learn, consider the questions: 

• How have human actions (e.g. logging, use of pesticides, etc.) impacted the wellbeing of the eskimo curlew?
• What impacts might the eskimo curlew’s extinction have on the world? 

Activity 1B - Fostering Empathy

Dominique Paul often uses poetry to illustrate a sense of urgency around the effects of climate change and to build empathy with the species being impacted. 

Read the poems from the Age of Discovery Map: 

Notice the emotions that come up as you read the poems. How does Paul use poetry (word choice, rhythm, visual elements, etc.) as a device to foster empathy?

Just as the artist wrote poems for the Cape May Warbler and Swainson’s Hawk, have the option to create a poem for the eskimo curlew to inspire empathy and connection. 

Create your poem, using one of the provided options:

1. Develop a poem of your choosing, based on the information about the eskimo curlew.
2. Download and print the text to make a black out poem. Cross out words and letters in order to create a poem with the remaining words. 

See the following example for reference:

Activity 2 - Drawing Connections

Dominique Paul found that through drawing each of the endangered bird species, she connected to a deeper sense of empathy for them. To emulate her process, you will have the chance to create an art piece around the eskimo curlew. Turn the bird into an art piece by coloring the image or layering images on it in a collage.
Download and Print the drawing.

Reflect on what came up for you by adding your thoughts to a word cloud

See the results here.

Activity 3 - Map of Memories

How are our lives intertwined with those of birds? Think back to an experience you shared with a bird. It could be ongoing or fleeting; impactful or mundane. Just notice a moment of intersection and sit with the experience.  

Go to the shared world map to add your memory. You may write out your memory, draw something, use a photograph, or link to an online image. 

Activity 4 - Pledge to the Birds

Now that you have built your connection with the eskimo curlew, you have the opportunity to take action to protect it. 

What responsibilities do you have towards protecting birds that are currently endangered and that could become endangered from the effects of climate change and human extraction? 

Write a pledge to the birds with an action you will take to ensure the birds like the eskimo curlew can continue to survive. 

Share your pledge.