Winter Birds

Materials:

Nature Journal, writing utensil of choice, wooded area for observation or a bird feeder.

Activity:

In the woods, a tree-filled park, or at a bird feeder in your yard observe the winter birds. Draw what you see in your nature journal. Are they the same birds you saw during the summer? Sit and watch their behavior for a while. Do you notice some species hopping on the ground more than others? Are there any dominant species that chase off other birds from a food source? What are the differences in their calls or movements?

Younger: 

Teach the younger kids names of common winter birds. They will love being able to identify them throughout the season.

Older:

Have older children observe different species over time and take notes on their similarities and differences. Encourage them to ask questions about why they have different behaviors.

Take it Further:

Have a mini-lesson migration and adaptation of birds in winter. Talk about the winter and summer ranges of different local species. You can use this free bird unit if you’d like. This video is a little long but has a ton of great information about bird adaptations for winter if your kids are interested.