CENTREVILLE — Encouraging fellow youths to learn about their local feathered friends, Xaviana Leis, 13, of Edgewater presented her authored and illustrated “Maryland Bird Guide” to Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s students at the Gunston School June 25.
Preventing summer learning from going to the birds, this season’s Horizons summer program focus is all about birds with high-flying fun. Last week’s presenter, Leis shared her knowledge about birds and her experiences as a raptor volunteer and what others can do to support their environment.
Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s programs seek to prevent “summer slide” and provide engaging educational opportunities and events for under-resourced students, according to Emily Murphy, executive director.
This season’s theme focuses all on birds and in addition to regular Horizons activities, this summer students are diving into what it means to be a good steward of the environment and strengthen an appreciation for wildlife, Murphy said.
Throughout the summer the students will engage in high-flying activities including bird watching and building an osprey nest, Murphy said.
In keeping with this season’s theme, Horizons was excited to welcome Leis, who at the age of 11, authored and illustrated her book “Maryland Bird Guide”.
A homeschool student in Edgewater and member of Girl Scout 11023, her passion for birds grew when a rehabilitator with Owl Moon Raptor Center came to present to her troop, she said.
Soon, Leis was volunteering herself at Owl Moon along with her mother, and was captivated by the world of local birds, she said.
Writing and illustrating the self-published “Maryland Bird Guide” as part of a Girl Scout Bronze Star Award when she was 11, Leis seeks to continually educate her community on the wonders of local birds and spread messages about how to help these amazing creatures.
“I wanted to do something that would inspire others to learn more about birds and how they can help them,” she said.
Some species of birds like crows are extremely intelligent and can remember the actions of humans that are nice to them and those who aren’t so nice, Leis said. Crows also use human tools to their advantage, such as leaving nuts in the road to be cracked by passing cars and then hopping into the road when the traffic light turns red.
Contrary to popular belief, bread is not a suitable food to feed ducks at the park, Leis said.
Bread has little nutritional value for ducks and uneaten bread can also form algae to gunk up the water. Better foods available in your kitchen to toss for ducks include fruit, uncooked oatmeal and rice. Frozen peas thawed by the time you get to the park also make a nice treat, she said.
Leis also noted the impressive wingspan on several species of raptors that truly has to be seen to be believed.
She reiterated the importance of cleaning up litter for the benefit of keeping a natural habitat beautiful for all of us.
Also part of her Scout project, Leis built special tubes to properly dispose of discarded fishing line so it does not get tangled in unsuspecting wildlife.
Everyone can do their part in helping wildlife this summer by picking up trash, including fishing line and disposing of it in proper receptacles.
Going into eighth grade this fall, her goal is to continually educate her community about wildlife.
Birds are more than just pretty things to look at out your window, they are living creatures and helping birds thrive is a necessary part of the functioning ecosystem, Leis said. “They are part of the environment and we need to help them.”
“Maryland Guide to Birds” includes over fifty different birds common to Maryland and nearby states alongside vibrant watercolor illustrations by Leis herself. The book contains a wingspan’s worth of information including habitats, diet, size, and fun facts.
“You have the ability to make a difference even if you’re younger. I want to show others they can have a cause they believe in,” she said.
Receiving signed copies of the bird guide, Horizons students were encouraged to “go wild” and use the book through the summer program to help identify local birds in the area.
Leis self-published book is available on Amazon and all proceeds go toward Owl Moon. To date, Leis has raised over $10,000.
“It just feels incredible,” she said.
Free copies of “Maryland Guide to Birds” for groups are available by messaging the Girls Making The World A Better Place Facebook page, Dombi-Leis said.
Horizons seeks to provide additional support and summer enrichment opportunities to underprivileged students.
More information about Horizons can be found at https://horizonskentqueenannes.org.
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