We have had so much more rain today (many inches)...and once again tornadoes throughout the area. What a June.
One of A's favorite things to do lately is watch and identify birds. Our neighborhood has been so full of birds this year and watching so many right from our own porch has sparked a big interest which is carrying over to birdwatching on our walks/hikes as well. He wants to know about their eggs, nests, songs, what they eat and if they migrate. We have found so many great resources which are good for kids ... books, sticker books, bird watching logs, bird song Cd's, and some great websites and birding blogs. Here are just a few of our current favorites:
Backyard Birds of Summer by Carol Lerner
Beginning Birdwatcher's Book: With 48 Stickers
This is a favorite because it is a birdwatching log for kids. You see a bird, you place the sticker, read about the bird, and can add notes about where you saw it.
Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
This is a digital audio book - you look up the bird, and then play its song - or vice versa - so you can instantly match a sound with a bird.
Birds, Nests and Eggs, by Mel Boring
We have so many great birding books right now (we have several in our sidebar reading lists), but have found we are also visiting some great birding websites and blogs to find out more about what we see (or hope to see). Here are just a few:
Mike's Wisconsin Birding & Digiscoping Blog
American Birding Association
10,000 Birds
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
And when Dover's eggs hatch we will reach a whole new level of birdwatching!
We are having a lot of fun with the birds as well. I need to post about it some time. Hels is volunteering at a local wildlife rescue place where she is feeding baby birds.
ReplyDeleteMy two boys are really excited about birds right now too. We spent yesterday evening sitting in our garden, trying to be as quiet as possible, so we could watch the cardinal couple who keeps visiting our feeders (we kept scaring them away with our excitement, but luckily they kept coming back). I will definitely check out those book recommendations! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love bird nests! It's fasinating how the different birds build different nest. We studied this at the preschool where I teach. The children loved it! We have a nest with a store receipt built into it, and another had some plastic Easter grass and pet hair. Very resourseful birdies!
ReplyDeleteIt will be such a great experience for your boys when the baby doves hatch! I can hardly wait myself!:)
I don't know if I ever told you that we collect vintage bird books/guides, both those intended for adults and children.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I meant to give you this link one other time, but forgot; I thought that you and the boys might enjoy it. You can listen to the songs of Wisconsin birds: http://www.uwgb.edu/birds/wbba/speciesaudios.htm
Thank you for sharing these great resources. We're going on a nature walk today down by the river...we often see herons, ducks, sometimes eagles, and geese. I don't think we have as many different varieties of backyard birds around here as you do but I'm always watching. I hope that stormy weather leaves your area soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat resources. Lately I have been waking around 4:30 to a cacophony of bird songs. So many different bird songs, I really want to learn to identify them by their song. What great fun you are having learning together.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it will help but the dry air had finally reached us so hopefully it will get to you soon!!!
Another good book the boys might like is:
Take a Backyard Bird Walk
by Jane Kirkland
Looks like you are having a great time over there... really getting into it. We have several pairs of regulars at our two feeders and it's fun to watch them. Maybe some of your resources will inspire us to take it up a notch!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of those bird books. Bird watching is one of my daughter's favorite things to do. There is also this book: Bird Songs From Around the World. Regional bird guide books with color photos are great too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links! We are becoming birdwatchers here too. They are so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteOh, we have the birdsongs book and LOVE it. In fact, we love it so much it's falling apart. Need to get out the duct tape. Maybe in a nice light olive to match the cover? I'll have to keep your site in mind for the fall, when we begin our bird studies.
ReplyDelete