Thursday, April 25, 2013

Backyard Birding


We are all about birds right now, and I love it!

Walk into our kitchen in the morning and you might find Reece with binoculars checking out the birds at the feeder. A few moments later he will be pouring over this book trying to figure out what bird he just saw. And then he comes running, asking me to read him the details about the bird. It is pretty amazing to watch as he dives in and learns about the world about him.

I made a little suggestion on the weekend that we make a list of all the birds he sees in the backyard. He loved the idea and we got paper and pen out to start the list.

Since the weekend we have seen:
~ robins
~ bluejays
~ white throated sparrows
~ cardinals
~ purple finches
~ starlings
~ chickadees
~ juncos
~ red breasted nut hatches
~ goldfinches
~ downy woodpeckers
~ chipping sparrows
~ morning doves
~ red winged black birds

I was pretty amazed at this list, and so was Reece. On Tuesday he spotted a robin building a nest and has been watching her a little bit each day as she brings bits and pieces to her nest.

Yesterday at the library he was all about the bird books. A great little book about birds, nests and eggs came home with us, a story about loons and we picked up one about owls at a book sale on the weekend. And of course How the Robin Saved Spring is still on the list of must read books before bed. 

It is fascinating to watch this process. To see his mind working it all out. To see him make connections between what he sees in our backyard and what he sees in the book. To see him put it all together. Feeling grateful that I can participate in this process and allow him the freedom to learn what he wants to learn when he wants to learn it.

25 comments:

  1. I think there is no better thing to do together.

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  2. Beautiful Kim, learning at its best!

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  3. That's really neat how you've got so many different birds in your yard, they will keep Reece busy for a while!
    Just yesterday I saw a Cardinal in our yard.
    My hubby has already seen hummingbirds, so we got the feeders ready just in case they decide to stay here with us.
    Have a great Thursday, Kim!

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    1. Oh hummingbirds, we can't wait for those to return. I was quite surprised with the list we, I had no idea there were so many in our backyard. Very cool!

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  4. I have memories of my dad identifying birds, trees and flowers-lasting education! I am in awe at what you've seen in less than a week!!

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  5. Robins, bluebirds and the western meadow lark ( MT. state bird)are here...yey, spring is finally here!
    You are lucky to have so many in your back yard Kim.

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    1. Oh bluebirds and meadow lark, how lovely! We are very lucky :)

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  6. Awwww - this is great! Robins are my favourite :)

    Happy birdwatching!

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  7. My second-born developed an interest in birding. It's such a peaceful pastime!

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    1. So very peaceful. When we are in the woods we both sit quietly listening to the bird song and it fills me with so much peace and love every time.

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  8. Lovely photograph!

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  9. I am really into birds right now as well and am very interested in learning more of the birds around me. I have been getting the kids excited as well, and we decided that one of our summer projects will be to make a bird book of all of the birds that we see. Phoebe gets very excited each time she sees a bird, so I think now is a good time to encourage the excitement.

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    1. It is so amazing!! I am working on identifying birds by their call. It is pretty amazing and feels so good when I get it right. Sounds like you have a fun summer planned around birds, enjoy!

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  10. we love all those books! The birds, nests, and eggs one is a favorite for our six year old. :)
    It is amazing when you write out the list of birds you see, just how long it is. Such a wonderful feeling to identify them, rather than see them all as "birds."

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    1. I was amazed for sure. I knew there were quite a few different birds, but had no idea there were that many in the backyard. We found a new one this morning too, so much excitement around here as we took turns with the binoculars :)

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  11. Lots of bird watching happening here, too. My MIL, who travels the world to view birds started a list for us. Over twenty just around our house. So much more variety than in CO, but I'm excited to say that I recently read that the Western Tanager, who I thought was only western, starting migrating to this area in the late 90's. It's my favorite CO bird so I'll be keeping keen eyes on the hopes of seeing one here in NC.

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    1. It is so much fun and we are having a blast. Reece is at the back door right now watching the birds with Justin...their conversation is pretty interesting to listen to :)

      Fingers crossed for a sighting of that Western Tanager.

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  12. What a great list Kim!
    Love that he looks up the birds... That is exactly how my kiddos got started with our guides. Now they know them better than I.
    Love this post!

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    1. We were really surprised by it Dawn and super excited to know there were that many back there :) I am pretty sure his desire to look them up comes from me...I grab our field guides all the time when are are out in the woods. I guess it has rubbed off on him :)

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  13. I love birds! They are so beautiful to hear and to see. :)

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    1. They are. They always make me happy and bring a smile to my face.

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