Two Februaries ago we participated in The Great Backyard Bird Count. We did no preliminary study or bird watching, so we were not as prepared as we could have been. Hmmm. I wonder what kind of bird that is? Still it was thrilling to estimate just how many crows were in that huge flock or ‘murder,’ as a flock of crows is apparently called, and to actually notice snowbirds.
This year I want us to start paying attention to birds now so that we will be able to identify them more easily during the actual Bird Count (Feb 12-15). I also printed out our regional bird checklist for February to make sure we learn to identify more of these birds ahead of time. Many of the birds on the list are linked to informative sites with pictures, songs, and more.
We only dip into Ambleside Online’s wonderful curriculum occasionally, but I love its idea of having a nature study focus each term. Obviously, we’re doing birds this term, with the help of the Bird Count website. It’s a treasure trove of information and includes an online bird guide. The kids’ page even has some games to help children (and their parents) identify birds. I love being able to access such wonderful information for free; participation in the Bird Count is free as well.
I’ll be posting about the actual event when it happens, but in the meantime, we’re geared up to begin looking at birds.
However you choose to do it, I wish your family lots of fun exploring God’s wonderful world this winter.
See you in a few days for another Tea Time with Annie Kate!
For more inspiration, visit the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival at Dewey’s Treehouse.
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That Backyard Bird Count sounds really great! I will definitely check this out for my kids….thanks for posting about it!
Blestmom
That does sound interesting and fun. I'm going to check out your links next. Thanks.
We did this with my oldest two….many years have gone by! Need to do it with the youngest two. Will check it out today!
We need to get back in to our Nature Studies as well. What neat resources you've listed – I'll have to keep those in mind. Birds are some of my favorite to study – I never tire of watching them. 🙂
Happy Bird-Watching!
~Shani
of the Backyard Bird Count! I really need to participate in that with my kids this week! 🙂 You have included some great info about getting the most from this, too! 🙂
And posting this to Tuesday's Toolbox. Maybe we'll be prepared to participate more fully this year.
Very good ideas! We did this a couple years ago. I really miss my feeders being up. I don't know if I've said anything, but we are moving soon and I did not want to hang this this winter.
Jenn
This sounds like sooooooo much fun. I am sad that we don't have as much birds up at our new house. ((sniff, sniff)) I guess by having my MIL's dog that scares away the bears and deer also scares away the birds. I loved the old rental for ALL the birds it had throughout the year.
I have the one apoligia for younger kids on birds. I am going to pull that out and get going on it. [0=
I can't wait to hear how your count goes. Please update us if you want.
Blessings in Him<><
-Mary
Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Love your Tea Time~awesome!
Melissa
http://bugsknightsandturkeysintheyard.blogspot.com/
We did the bird count once before, but I'd forgotten it was coming up again. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
My daughter has been waiting since last years GBBC for this! 😀
FYI iTunes has some apps for identifying birds for the iPhone/iPod (some are free) – though I'm partial to the Audubon ones (they have regional versions available). We've found them very useful (DD likes the bird calls on one of the apps).
I read this a while back and locked today's date in my mind, not realizing it was the last day and not the first. We are going to count now! I linked back to this post from my blog. Thanks for sharing this fun opportunity.
Yes, it's the last day, and we're working on it now, too. It's great to be outside a bit more than normal.
Thanks for linking to me.
Annie Kate