The Digital Aviary: The Adventures of Little Doug
The Digital Aviary: The Adventures of Little Doug
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Welcome to the Digital Aviary!
Welcome to the Digital Aviary!
I'm Little Doug. I use high-tech sensors to "listen" to the river. On this page, you’ll find missions that turn you into a Digital Ornithologist. Ready to level up your science skills?
The Mission Board
The Mission Board
The Mission
Station 3173. Analyze live data from the Sunbury River Keeper station
Certificate of Completion
You can download a certificate upon completion of mission
Teacher's Guide
Standards alignment (STEELS) and teacher answer keys
The Systems Thinker's Journey
The Systems Thinker's Journey
What's happening: A bird produces a sound wave (vibration). This is the "raw signal" from the environment. Every species has a unique "audio fingerprint.
What's happening: The PUC's microphone "catches" the vibration and converts it into a digital file. The solar panel keeps the system "alive" using renewable energy from the sun.
What's happening: The AI (BirdNet) compares the sound to its massive library of bird songs. When it finds a match, it sends that data to your screen. The invisible song is now visible data!
Check it out! This map is connected directly to our solar-powered PUC sensor It’s using Artificial Intelligence to turn bird songs into data points right before your eyes. What's it saying right now?
🛰️ Live Feed: The Susquehanna "Ear"
🛰️ Live Feed: The Susquehanna "Ear"
This is a live look at Station 3173 located in the Susquehanna Valley. Every time you see a bird icon pop up, the AI has just "heard" a song and identified the species!
What to do:
Scroll to zoom in on Sunbury.
Click a bird icon to hear the actual recording.
Watch the "Detections" count—it updates in real-time!
Everything is connected! Technology acts like a special pair of glasses that helps us see the invisible threads between the river and the sky. When we understand the system, we can better protect the home we share.
The Adventures of Little Doug © 2026 Douglas Fessler
Created for STEM education through the United Way.
Disclaimer:
The worksheets and materials on this page are provided for educational purposes only. Users are solely responsible for ensuring that any field activities comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws, regulations, and permits. This includes, but is not limited to, wildlife, fishing, and environmental regulations in your jurisdiction. Always follow safe handling practices when collecting, observing, or interacting with plants or animals. The authors and website are not responsible for any legal, safety, or environmental consequences resulting from the use of these materials.
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