Backyard Birds and More!

Why do birds lay eggs in the spring?Watch the video to discover the answer to "Why do birds lay eggs in the spring?" and don't forget to vote for next week's question!

NEW!

Why do birds lay their eggs in the spring?

Visit Mystery Doug to find out about this EGGciting egg laying time of year!

Have you seen any nests? Take a photo and send to Mrs. D'Orio at rdorio@obenschools.org

Visit these LIVE nest CAMS!

What do you observe about these birds? What did you learn?

I hope you enjoy learning about birds this week!

Choose one or more activities that you would like to complete. There is something here for every grade level!

Watch the video to the left then scroll down to choose an activity.

- Mrs. D'Orio

Decorah Eagles Live Cam - nesting bald eagles | Explore.orgThe live eagle cam broadcasts video of baby bald eagles from their nest in Decorah, Iowa. Learn about eagles and watch them hatch, play, eat, & learn to fly.

EGG-citing News!

2 chicks, or eaglets, hatched in the Eagle Nest! Click for the LIVE Eagle Cam!

Happy Observing!

Great Gray Owls at Jim’s Place - live owl camera from Montana | Explore.orgNest with North America's largest species of owl! This live camera in Montana's Mission Valley is mounted opposite a hollowed tree snag where a great gray owl raises her chicks. It's believed the owl mom and her mate have nested here for the past three years. This densely forested area borders a mostly open field, ideal for Great Gray Owls to hunt their prey. The forest has small creeks running through it and is a major wildlife corridor for the Mission Mountains with deer, birds, and even Grizzly bears traveling through this area. This snag nest, though much smaller than the Western Montana Nest Cam, is not atypical for Great Grays. She fits like a glove. We've named this location "Jim's Place" as tribute to the live cam host who unexpectedly passed away during the camera's install.

The Owls are back to nest!

Click to see this beautiful Gray Owl nesting in her tree!

Cornell FeederWatch CamWatch the birds of Sapsucker Woods visit the feeders outside the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY.

Activity 1

Observe- LIVE Feeder Cam:

Observe the birds that come to the bird feeder at Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca NY.
Record the birds you see on the tally sheet below.

See below for Bird Identification Resources

Watch the LIVE Feeder above and record your observations on this tally sheet:

What birds do you see? Print and record your observations on this log. If you aren't able to print, use a piece of paper for your tally.

Record the time of the day you are watching. Watch for 10 minutes and tally the number and kind of birds you see. (See image below for a model to tally.)

Great Backyard Bird Count Tally Sheet.pdf

Bird Tally

This is a sample of what a tally might look like as you observe the birds at the bird cam.

Activity 2:

Look out your window, in your backyard or go for a walk:

Use the observation sheet to tally how many birds you see on the ground, in the air, or in the sky. Observe for 10 minutes.

Print the BirdSleuth Explorer's Guidebook and complete the activities there! If you are not able to print, write your observations on a plain piece of paper.

BirdWatchingRecord (1).pdf

BirdSleuth-Explorer-Guidebook_Teachers-and-Families.pdf

Activity 3:

Watch this video to learn more about birds!

1. Watch the video

2. Complete the "Exit Ticket" below. Click on the image and It will open in a new window. I will receive an email with your response!

Watch this video right here on my website. Always ask your parent before you go on any sites like YouTube.

Click on the image to complete the Exit Slip:

Activity 4:

Who's Beak? Who's Feet?

Try this interactive game from Audubon Adventures to match the birds' beaks and feet. Click on "hints" to learn more!

Click on the image to the right!

Activity 5:

STEM Activity -Design and Build a Bird Feeder

What reusable or recycled materials can you use?
Where will the bird food be stored?
Where will the birds perch or sit to eat?
Use the activity to the right or design your own!

Email your bird feeder model to rdorio@obenschools.org!

Make a Bird Feeder Out of Recycled MaterialsThis easy DIY feeder will make birds, and the earth, happy.

Activity 6:

Experiments to Try at Home

Click on an experiment from Education.com below. Education.com will ask for a parent to sign up to download the activity. Ask your trusted adult to do this.

Take a photo of your experiment and email to rdorio@obenschools.org

How to Make a Bird's Nest | Activity | Education.comTeach the kids how a bird's nest is made by making your own nests using only natural materials!

How Strong are a Bird's Bones? | Activity | Education.comIn this science experiment, your child will test the strength of hollow structures in order to understand how strong bird bones really are.

Untitled document

Activity 7:

Bird Identification Research

What is one bird you observed in your yard or in your neighborhood?

Name the bird
Draw the bird
Research and write 3 Fun Facts about that bird. Use the app Kid Rex in Class Link or in your browser at www.kidrex.com. Remember to use your internet safety skills when searching. Always check with your trusted adult when searching online.