BRAW Directory
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BRAW Directory
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Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin
"Bringing bluebirds back to Wisconsin since 1986."
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Take Your Kids Birdwatching This Summer!
We love to watch our local birds (and protect them from window collisions!) all year long. But there’s something about the return of our migratory species, and the abundance of sunshine, that makes summer birdwatching especially exciting. Even if you’re awakened by early morning birdsong before the sound of your alarm, the sights and sounds of returning birds bring undeniable joy to our daily lives.
So, if you’re hoping to get yourself and your little ones outdoors this summer, there’s no better activity than some birdwatching. Birdwatching is an educational and stimulating activity for children and adults alike, and learning about local species will deepen your connection with nature. The team at Feather Friendly® has compiled numerous tips on common summer species, and a few ideas on how to get your kids involved, so that you learn about the birds you love, and protect them too, all summer long. Birdwatching can foster your family’s interest in protecting birds against window collisions and get your child involved in future conservation efforts!
Finding Local Species in Your Area
Some individuals won’t have to look very hard to enjoy the majesty of a bird in flight. In fact, if you have native plants, adequate food sources, nesting areas, and your yard is relatively safe from predators, you may be able to bird watch from the comfort of your own home. Even if you don’t have a particularly well-developed yard or live in an urban area where greenery is scarce, there are still many areas where you can admire your feathered friends from afar.
We’ve collected the data of three common North American species, using All About Birds’ Bird Guide to help you on your birding journey.
Have you spotted any of these common species in your yard or neighborhood yet?
One way to look out for local species is to familiarize yourself with their calls and coloring. Knowing where birds tend to feed and how they sound can help you locate birds in densely wooded areas, or in habitats that are more unfamiliar to you. Some species, like the Eastern Bluebird, won’t appear at feeders and prefer to perch far above the ground, which makes them more difficult to spot. Of course, one of the simplest ways to find birds is to look outside your door; you may be surprised at the variety of species that live in your backyard. If you’re hoping to attract different species to your yard, planting native plants, setting out a birdfeeder, and keeping cats indoors are just a few ways you can make your yard birdfriendly.
How to Get Your Kids Outdoors with Birdwatching
According to Audubon, “Only about 10 percent of kids spend some time outside every day.” Shrinking rural spaces, new technology, and a host of other factors have effectively prevented kids from interacting with nature on a regular basis.
SITE MAP
American Birding Association -
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - The Eastern Bluebird
Merlin - Identify Birds and Bird Songs
NestWatch - Where Birds Come to Life
North American Bluebird Society
BLUEBIRD TRAILS
BRAW FORMS
EZ Nest Box Data Summary Report Form
Field Activity Data Collection Forms
BRAW LEADERSHIP & LIAISONS
CHILDREN’S BLUEBIRD LINKS
Children's Bluebird Activity Book
Sialis - Bluebird Knowledge Website
CONTACT BRAW
COUNTY COORDINATORS
LEGAL
MEMBERSHIPS
Application and Renewal Forms.
NEST BOXES
Comparing Different Predator Guards
Eastern Bluebird Next Box Plan & Info
Nest Box Troubleshooting Guide
Peterson Unvented Nest Box Diagram
VISITOR SUBMITTED LINKS
Hobbies at Home: A Guide to Birdwatching
From Garden Shed to Wildlife Watching Room
Bluebird Books – 6 Examples shown
Although birding may not be your child’s first choice of activity, encouraging your children to form a respectful relationship with the environment, and letting them explore their surroundings, can help foster a genuine concern for protecting natural environments, and find joy in nature. Audubon contributor, Nicholas Lund, acknowledges that, while birding may not seem as appealing as playing a game, or a sport, parents can make a game out of birding by letting their child pick a spontaneous path, location on a map, or local conservation area. Parents can provide their child with a sense of freedom and fun by allowing their child to shape their own birding experience.
Make Your Birdwatching Adventure Eco-Friendly
Lund also recommends integrating binoculars, cameras, and birding guides to supplement their bird-watching experience. Viewing the same species of bird in a book, through binoculars, and then capturing a photo of it will make a memorable experience for children.
Use birdwatching as an opportunity to teach children about the role birds play in our ecosystem and how we can protect them through maintaining the environment with reusable items and setting boundaries. Let your kids come up with a list of items that are environmentally friendly:
Binoculars Bird guide Camera Litter-free lunch Reusable bottles
Teach your children to take photos, stay on the path, maintain a safe distance while observing species, and leave birds, birds’ nests, plants, and flowers where you found them. Instructing your children on how to treat nature will help them understand that nature should be protected and can be enjoyed from afar.
Kid-Friendly Can Be Bird-Friendly!
Don’t let your child’s interest in the environment stop at home! You can use your downtime in between birding to educate your child about the impact of window collisions. Show your kids how they can protect local birds by using bird deterrent window markers and invite them to help you make your home bird friendly. Order Feather Friendly® DIY tape today to make your windows bird-friendly, keep your backyard birds thriving, and to get your young birder outdoors!
Bluebirds for Kids
view copyright and permission to use credits)
I am not the only one who has been asked these questions. So, I opted to post this Children's Bluebird Activity Book as a handy resource of bluebird information for parents, grandparents, and teachers of kids expressing an interest in bluebirds.
Andy Garcia-Rivera
BRAW Webmaster
Kids are naturally curious about wildlife, especially the birds they see when outdoors. Brightly colored birds draw special attention because of their beautiful plumage.
Recently, my grandson found out that I serve as BRAW's webmaster and began to show interest by asking me lots of questions about bluebirds. Where do they come from? How long do they live? Where can I find them? What do they eat? Why? Why? Why... You get the picture by now.
