Local Bird Study

Local Bird Study Activities

Where to start:

Our class started by observing birds in our community and schoolyard. First, we had to learn how to sit quietly and observe by listening as well as looking. Most birds are not always visible, and students learned how to differentiate birds by their songs. When we would hear a bird song, we would go inside and try to identify it using various bird song sites; if we knew the song, we would look up the bird to see what it looked like. Every morning, I would show them a local bird and its song and we would have discussions about who had seen or heard this bird and where they were when they heard or saw it.

Local Bird Projects:

Our bird discussions then led into further investigations into which birds migrate or stay in our community during the winter. I gave them an assignment where they chose a local bird from the extensive list we had created and researched various characteristics and facts about their bird, such as adaptations, nesting, feeding, habitats, and endangered status. (I have attached the document below).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JBHyuMnrGplol44JG2MLOpPaJQxBMRbljFgYbnHGb3w/edit?usp=sharing

Winter Friend Feeders:

We decided that we should help our feathered friends out in the winter by setting up some bird feeders in our schoolyard. First, we made feeders out of plastic bottles and milk cartons. (Some ideas on this site here: https://earth911.com/home-garden/7-diy-recycled-bird-feeders/)

We then decided to build some wooden bird feeders, and received a grant from 'Learning for a Sustainable Future' as part of their UN Sustainable Development Goals program (look this program up - it is amazing!). We built 7 feeders in groups and can now put them out year after year in our school yard.

Building Bird Nests STEM challenge!

How to Start:

Collect items such as dry and fresh grass, small and large twigs, string, cotton balls, yard pieces, and other items that could be used by birds to build a nest. I also had paper plates that they could use to build their nests on.

We watched looked at pictures of bird nests and watched a video of a weaver bird building its nest. We examined various ways that birds build nests and the materials they use. I also had found a nest in my backyard which I brought in to show as an example.

The Challenge:

Students in classes from grades 1-4 were challenged to build a cup shaped bird nest that would hold one of my stuffed birds in it safely. They got bonus marks if the nest was able to be lifted without the bird falling through the bottom! It was fun to watch their different strategies and most groups were successful without too much intervention!