Backyard Birds and Animals Detective Worksheet for 12-Year-Olds in Wheeling, WV | Science, Math, and History

Instructions

1. Read the Case File: Review the descriptions of the wildlife commonly found in the Ohio River Valley around Wheeling, WV.
2. Solve the Puzzles: Use logic, math, and your detective skills to complete each section.
3. Use the Evidence: Each section provides clues for the next. Do not skip ahead!
4. Final Deduction: Identify the "backyard bandit" based on the final set of clues.

Section 1: The Suspect Evidence Log (Science & English)

You are investigating a series of "disturbances" in a backyard near Oglebay Park. Below is a list of suspected animals. Match the Track/Sign to the correct Suspect using the logic clues provided.

Logic Clues:

• The animal with the mask is active only at night.
• The state bird of West Virginia leaves a "hop" pattern in the snow.
• The suspect with antlers is the only one that can jump a 6-foot fence.
• The suspect seen near the Ohio River has a 6-foot wingspan and eats fish.

Section 2: Mapping the Territory (Social Studies & History)

Wildlife moves through Wheeling differently than humans do. Use the map coordinates of historical Wheeling landmarks to track the path of a Red-tailed Hawk.

The Path:

• Start at the Wheeling Suspension Bridge (Built in 1849). Coordinate: (2, 5)
• Fly 3 units South to the Centre Market. Coordinate: (2, __ )
• Fly 4 units East to the Wheeling Park. Coordinate: ( __ , 2)
• Fly 6 units North to the Oglebay Good Zoo. Coordinate: (6, __ )

Challenge Question: Why would a hawk prefer to hunt near the open fields of Oglebay rather than the stone buildings of downtown Wheeling?

Section 3: The Population Count (Math)

A local biologist is tracking bird populations in the Northern Panhandle. Solve the following logic-math problems to determine the number of birds spotted today.

1. The ratio of Blue Jays to Cardinals is 2:3. If you saw 12 Cardinals, how many Blue Jays were there?

   • Answer: __

2. A Peregrine Falcon can dive at 200 mph. If it dives for 1/10th of an hour (6 minutes), how many miles does it travel?

   • Answer: __

3. A Squirrel hides 40 nuts. It forgets where 15% of them are. How many nuts are lost forever?

   • Answer: __

Section 4: Forensic Sketch Artist (Art)

Based on the "Witness Description" below, sketch the unidentified visitor spotted near the Ohio River. Focus on the physical adaptations mentioned.

Witness Description: "It was standing perfectly still in the shallow water. It had a very long, S-shaped neck and a sharp, yellow beak like a spear. Its legs were thin as sticks but very long. It had blue-grey feathers that looked like a cape on its back."

Section 5: The Case of the Tipped Bird Feeder (Logic Deduction)

Use the clues to find out who knocked over the bird feeder last night at 11:00 PM.

• Suspect A (Cardinal): It was sleeping in an evergreen tree at 11:00 PM.
• Suspect B (Deer): It was seen eating hostas three blocks away at 11:00 PM.
• Suspect C (Raccoon): It was seen near the porch with muddy paws at 10:45 PM.
• Suspect D (Box Turtle): It moves at 0.17 mph and was 50 yards away at 8:00 PM.

Who is the prime suspect? _____

Why? ____

Answer Key

Section 1: Suspect Evidence Log

1. Northern Cardinal | Red feathers/Black face | Hopping tracks in snow
2. White-tailed Deer | Antlers/White tail | Hoof prints/Jumped fence
3. Great Blue Heron | Long neck/Grey feathers | Fish bones by the river
4. Eastern Box Turtle | Hard shell/Patterned | Slow-moving trail in mud
5. Red-tailed Hawk | Sharp talons/Red tail | High perch/Feathers found

Section 2: Mapping the Territory

• Centre Market: (2, 2)
• Wheeling Park: (6, 2)
• Oglebay Good Zoo: (6, 8)
• Challenge: Hawks need open fields to see small prey (mice/rabbits) more easily than in crowded urban areas.

Section 3: Population Count

1. 8 Blue Jays
2. 20 miles
3. 6 nuts

Section 4: Forensic Sketch (Student should draw a Great Blue Heron based on the description of long neck, spear beak, and long legs).

Section 5: Final Deduction

• Prime Suspect: Suspect C (Raccoon).
• Why: Raccoons are nocturnal (active at night), have dexterous paws for tipping feeders, and were spotted nearby just before the incident.