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The natural world had always been magical to me, but that magic increased tenfold when my parents put up a bird feeder outside our kitchen window. A black-capped chickadee would grab a sunflower seed and then fly off while a white-breasted nuthatch worked away on the suet tied to a tree trunk. The noisy blue jays chased everyone away until the loud “chow” of an arriving red-bellied woodpecker warned them that the real boss was about to arrive. Whether it was the brightness of a northern cardinal or the gregarious habits of the American goldfinches, there was always something to look at and wonder about.
Winter is an excellent time to get children involved in feeding the birds in your own backyard or to participate in citizen science in your region. Here are just a few ways to get started:
Nature hikes
During the winter months plan a trip to a nearby park or Conservation Area where you can hike with your children and find some birds. With kid-friendly binoculars in hand (for young children, I recommend making your own out of empty toilet paper rolls) and a BIRD ID sheet, this can be the perfect outdoor activity over the winter break, building an appreciation for the natural world. Two highly recommended spots in or around the Toronto area include Lynde Shores Conservation Area (feeder birds might land on your hand!) and Humber Bay Park East (to see ducks and other waterfowl). Be sure to check ahead for any changing COVID-19 measures.
Project Feederwatch
Project Feederwatch is a wonderful way to contribute your sightings to science. You count the birds that come to your feeder over a two-day period every week. The goal is to record the highest number of each species that you can see at once. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology analyzes this data to uncover trends in bird populations across North America.
My kids and I even make it a bit competitive: Who can see the greatest number of, for example, dark-eyed juncos at once during a two-day period? I suggest leaving the Project Feederwatch sheets on the kitchen table with a pen during each count period. This allows budding scientists to add to the list whenever they see a bird, rather than try to schedule sessions and have everyone sit together to watch. And remember, offering a wide variety of foods in a wide variety of feeders will increase the diversity of your feathered visitors.
Bird counts
Every December, there are Christmas bird counts across North America. Join your local birders and get your children involved to see what you can find in your area. On one day, citizen scientists come together to count as many different species they can find in a 24-kilometre-diameter circle. This is organized by count compilers and a specific route is determined ahead of time. There are Christmas bird counts specifically for kids as well (research to see what is available in your region). This has become a holiday tradition for many birders, though anyone can get involved. In Ontario you can sign up to be a part of the Christmas Bird Count and take the kids for an outing that makes a difference to science. Visit audubon.org for more details and a Christmas Bird Count map, which includes information about the groups organized across the province and their plans for the count. If COVID-19 restrictions stop your local count from happening, go to the Birds Canada website and you can use their resources to do a mini-count of your own.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is another fun way to get kids involved in a safe, stay-at-home way during the pandemic. This is an event that happens each year and involves birdwatchers of all ages who count birds in their own backyard. You can invest as little or as much time as you like each day. This winter’s count is Feb. 12-15, 2021. You can find more information at audubon.org and birdscanada.org.
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December 05, 2020 at 07:09PM
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Get the kids involved in bird watching this winter - Toronto Star
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