Classic pine cone feeder
Naturally this project calls for pine cones. Send the kids outdoors in the backyard, the neighborhood or a park to collect a few pine cones. (Of course it's a good idea to remind them to ask permission if the pine tree is one someone else's property.) The bigger and more open the cone, the better.
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| Pine cone is hung upside down to catch the seed |
Have the kids mix bird seed and peanut butter together in a bowl. There is no specific mix to the ingredients. Any seed will do. You probably will attract the most birds if you use a seed blend that contains black oil sunflower, safflower and white millet seed.
The kids can press the mixture into the crevices of the pine cones. This may be a bit messy, so have some paper towels at the ready.
The final step is to hang the pine cones from backyard trees. It may take birds a little while to spot the treat but don't give up. Eventually they will find them. Also, select branches or twigs that are light and long. That may discourage squirrels from inching down from heavier branches. Then again, don't worry if a squirrel makes off with the pine cone ornament. They're part of nature, too!
Orange bird feeder
The plan is to provide fresh fruit for mockingbirds, robins and other fruit-lovers while creating a small bowl that will attract seed-lovers as well.
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| Birds will enjoy seed and fruit |
Remove the orange, which by now should be fairly firm, and place seed in the bowl of the orange. Any type of seed—or seed mixture—will do. Another option is to blend the seed with peanut butter and spread the mixture into the bowl. If you have any leftover cranberries from the holiday (the actual berries, not the sauce), you could add some of those to the mix as well.
Hang the feeder outside near a window. A tree branch or shepherd's hook will work fine. During cold weather the orange should remain fairly solid. The birds will peck from both the seed and the fruit. You may see a wide variety of birds at the feeder!
Keep a birding journal
Observing birds can become a fascinating and educational hobby for youngsters. The children can watch the birds from the window as they feed and perch in the backyard. Buy them a simple birding book with color photographs so they can identify the different birds they see. Also provide them with a notebook so they can jot down which birds they've seen, where they saw them and when.
Children can learn even more when they visit different habitats. Finding a new place to observe birds can be as simple as visiting a local park, especially if it has a stream or a pond which will draw the birds close. You may also wish to take them on a stroll through the woods or along a pond.
These birding walks will help children learn about the best places to see birds, the characteristics of the birds' habitats and the frequency in which particular species are seen. Ask if they have a favorite bird of their own. Birds can be shy, intelligent, resourceful, outgoing or aggressive—personality traits that children can relate to.
A birding book will help your child learn about bird migration. Some of the birds we see in the winter will be gone by spring. And some birds that they might be in summer are now spending their time in the south. Some birds fly thousands of miles during their migration.
Visiting a birding exhibit
Some nature centers offer birding exhibits or other attractions.
Merrill Creek Reservoir. Located near Washington, New Jersey. Includes wildlife exhibits and a bird-feeding viewing area. Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 908-454-1213.
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Located near Audubon in Montgomery County. Includes exhibits of the work of John James Audubon. If you have a group of at least eight people, you can arrange for an owl presentation with a guided staff member. Museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission fees: call 610-666-5593.
Learn about our state bird
The Ruffed Grouse is Pennsylvania's official bird. Ask your kids to go online or visit the library to learn more about this species. Maybe they can find out why the Ruffed Grouse was chosen as the state's bird, or where in the state the bird can be found.
Are there any laws to protect this bird? Is the bird becoming more common or less common in Pennsylvania? Is this the best bird to represent the state, or would they have another species in mind? What are the state birds of nearby states, or the states where their grandparents or cousins live? Do any states have the same official bird?
Which birds are endangered?
Educate children to learn about how nature affects them and how they affect nature. Again, have them go online or visit the library to find out which birds are in danger of extinction. Why is it important to protect birds? Do any conservation programs exist to protect endangered birds?
You might wish to discuss with them the Bald Eagle, the nation's symbol. It was once near extinction but vigorous conservation programs have saved it. Bald Eagles can now be seen flying across the Lehigh Valley. On the other hand, Passenger Pigeons, once the most numerous bird in the United States, is now extinct. Have them research how that happened and what lessons can be learned from that experience.
Enjoy a craft project
Younger children might wish to take part in a craft project. Use construction paper of different colors to draw or cut out shapes of birds they like. Crayons are a must for this project. Youngsters might wish to use safety scissors to cut the head, tail and wings of their favorite bird. You can slice a small potato for them to insert these components. Also, craft stores sell bird shapes made of wood. They offer little bird houses, again made of wood. Perhaps the child might wish to paint these items.
Hawk Mountain, in Kempton, Berks County, offers free, downloadable coloring books such as "Raptors of Hawk Mountain," "Kestrels of the World" and a "Raptor Activity Book." The coloring books are available at this link.
The benefits of birding
Learning about birding is a great way to educate children about nature and to help them develop observational skills that could last a lifetime. An appreciation for the sights and sounds around them will help them in the classroom and with their peers. Watching birds also may teach them about patience, since birds do not always cooperate with the child's timetable. Birding is a great way to get some physical exercise. During the holiday vacation, kids will continue to hone their research skills. It's a lot better for them to learn about birds than to spend their vacation sitting before a video game or television!
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