If you build it, will the birds come?

The Turtles have safely emerged from winter into spring. Spending time outdoors together these last seven months we have had some truly unique learning experiences. The changes that happen in spring may seem small at first but then and, all of a sudden, you realize that it’s here! So please encourage your child(ren) to continue to keep watching, listening, smelling for the new growth and new life and other signs of spring.

How does your child(ren) know it’s spring? What do they notice? Today at Coyote Nature School we noticed some birds. We even found some feathers on the ground. Can your child(ren) name some of the birds we saw or heard today? Blue Jays, Crows, Mourning Doves, Woodpecker, Robins Does your child(ren) know what they sound like? Can they imitate a bird call using words or whistling? EE-Oh-Lay is the call of the Wood Thrush and often you won’t see this bird in the forest because it is so camouflaged. Here are some ideas to help continue learning about birds at home: go to the library and get some books, download the Merlin Bird app and spend time outdoors.

In the spring, many birds are coming back from their winter homes and will soon be laying eggs but first the birds need to find or to make a nest. Depending on the type of bird, the nest will look different. The location, the materials used and the size are unique and different depending on the bird. Just like birds, your child(ren) chose their different materials and sizes when they made their nest today.

Ask your child(ren) about becoming a nest builder. What kind of materials did they choose and where did they put their completed nest? What did they think was hard about building a nest? What was easy? Will they add anything to their nest to make it better next week?