We began by cleaning out our bird box and carefully removing an old bird’s nest. This sparked lots of curiosity as the children examined what the nest was made from, discovering natural materials such as hay, feathers and moss. It was a great opportunity to talk about how birds build safe and cosy homes for their chicks.
Later that morning, the children worked together to make their own bird feeders to hang in our garden. Using recycled materials, lard and bird seed, they enjoyed taking part in this eco-friendly activity and learning how we can help care for wildlife. We are very excited to see which birds will visit our garden and hope the feeders attract lots of feathered friends.
Our Toddlers and Preschool children then went on a walk to the duck pond to see what birds they could spot. Although they only managed to see one duck, they could hear many birds singing in the distance. The children enjoyed stopping to listen carefully to the birdsong and talking about the different sounds they could hear. To make the walk even more exciting, Farmer Jake surprised us by bringing out his Labrador puppy, Cally, to say hello, which brought lots of excitement.
Later in the week, Preschool went on another bird-spotting walk using their new bird viewfinders. The children carefully looked around and proudly identified pigeons, crows, seagulls and even a robin. This activity supported their observation skills and encouraged discussion about different types of birds and their features.
Meanwhile, our Babies have been enjoying the story ‘Owl Babies’. They listened carefully to the story and explored their creativity by making their own deconstructed owls using a variety of textures and materials. This sensory activity supported their fine motor skills and allowed them to explore the story in a hands-on way.
This link to the RSPB website shows you how to make bird feeders using loo rolls. Why not try it at home and see which birds you attract?