Bird watching can be a great way to sneak in some fun nature studies with your kids, or just a fun example of a summertime adventure that is educational as well as fun!
Bird Watching and Nature StudiesBird watching is a great introduction to the study of natural history and biology. As we know, both being out in nature, and STEM studies have an impact on children’s creativity and problem-solving skills.
Use your time bird watching to build observation and note-taking skills as well as to practice making logical deductions from what you see and hear. Children can notice similarities and differences between birds and learn to identify different species.
What Time of Year is Best?Knowing what time of year birds are most active in your area is important for ensuring your outing is a success and keeping kids interested.
Winter in the lower 48 is often a good time to see ducks and geese as they’ve come down from further north looking for water that isn’t solid to hang out in.
Spring is when birds become very active after the temperatures begin to warm up. Many migrant species start showing up and almost everybody starts building nests and courting.
Summertime means things are a lot quieter on the birdwatching front. Many birds are busy raising their young. Mid to late summer may be a better time for spotting butterflies than birds.