Bird Counting

The past weekend was The Great Backyard Bird Count – and it was fun for us to count some birds here at our home.

 

We counted about 3 times total, I think.  We logged in a hawk each time, I think – several cardinals, and lots of sparrows.  We also have a Great Blue Heron that comes almost daily to our pond, or the one across the fence.  We also have a steady number of Turkey Vulters.

We did venture out on Monday to the East Texas Arboretum to count birds with friends. 

We hiked about a mile and a half, found the bird lookout, but we did not actually see any birds.  It was a little sad, but we had so much fun playing, hiking and being with friends, we did not seem to mind the lack of birds.

I think next week we will pick a bird we see often and do a deeper study of that bird.  Maybe some art to come to!

Bird Watching

We have enjoyed watching the birds, more lately I think.  We are getting geared up for a real honest-to-goodness bird study.  I think we may do this all month, well what is left of it. 

Starting on the 18th we are going to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).  It will go on from the 18th to the 22nd.  You spend a minimum of 15 minutes counting birds – anywhere!  Could be the park, a pond, or your back yard.  Then you record which kinds of birds you see in that period of time.

So, in preparation, we are :  (1) getting out all of our bird books, (2) trying to identify those we have photographed here,  (3) planning where we want to count besides our backyard, and  (4) print out a list of birds we could see in our region (from the website).

I think we are going to walk down our road one day – there is a small pond just off the road and every time we walk by, many wood ducks fly out.  So we will go and count those wood ducks one day – should be fun!

Then, I think I want to try to spend one period over at Cedar Creek Lake since there are tons of Loons over there – and count those one day.

It is going to be lots of fun!  Lots of counting and lots of looking up birds we do not know!

So, check out the website and join us in counting some birds and benefiting the National Audubon Society, for one.  There are lots of great things to see on their websites that are very kid friendly too!

Lastly, did I mention PRIZES??  There are those as well – they award prizes once you submit your results – binoculars, bird books, bird feeders, etc!  Well worth the time you spend counting I think  - plus it gets kids excited!!

Snow and the Birds

We woke to snow this morning – what fun! 

Not a whole lot of nature study going on with these freezing temps & the ice we have been dealing with all last week.  But, today I was able to get some great bird pictures that I think we will use to start a bird study of sorts.

Here are a few of the pics I got:

 

 

The cardinals in the tree – were not too happy with me out there – they waited until I left to eat.  Too bad.

 

Hanging out in the rose bush – waiting their turn

 

Caught this one coming in for a landing – check out his feet!

PJ says that this one is about to jump and that is why his legs are extended in this picture – he is probably right – who knows?

And to finish with my favorite one:

It will be fun figuring out a couple – I think the boys know them all, but we can look into some fun details about each of them!  Fun future studies for our gang!