Did you know that there are 10,000 species of birds on our planet? Did you ever wonder how many you’ve seen? Some serious bird watchers (birders) keep a list of how many birds they’ve seen. They have rules for these lists. More than one person has to see the bird and agree with its identification, or a solidarity birder might take a photograph. They call their “birds I’ve seen list” a “life list”.
I think keeping a life list would be a fun project to do as a family. We’ve never kept an official list, but we are all amateur bird watchers. My husband keeps several feeders going; we always have birds of some kind or other in our yard. It’s interesting to see how different birds come in different seasons. Sure robins mean spring is on its way, but grackles mean fall and blue jays mean late summer.
It doesn’t cost anything to become a bird watcher. We keep a pair of binoculars on the kitchen window sill, and another pair by the front window. Our favorite bird identification book is The Guide to Colorado Birds. We like its large pictures and how the book describes the different markings of the young and adult birds, and of male and female birds.
Since it’s winter as I write this, I’m reminded of another birding activity. Look carefully at the trees and bushes around your yard and at the park. Since the leaves are gone, you just might be able to see some nests. Many birds return to the same area and same spots every year. Remember those nests, and in the spring go back and see if you can spot birds building nests, or daddy birds guarding, or even babies having flying lessons.
Watching birds is a great multi-generational activity. You can also expand bird watching into lessons about bird migration and geography. Your children might enjoy putting out bird seed or cut fruit as treats for the birds. All of that…and it’s right out your window.
More on feeding birds:
Let’s Feed the Birds
Birdseed Pinecones