Observing

We have been studying birds this term – learning names of garden birds, spotting them wherever we go, listening out for the ever increasing bird song as spring takes up residence, learning about their homes, nest making, migration and more.  We are total amateurs and our garden’s most common visitors are wood pigeons, blackbirds, robins and magpies, but all the same we have delighted in having time to actually observe them carefully.  As well as enjoying the birds around us, this morning we visited our local RSPB Nature Reserve, where a delightful retiree took time to point out oyster catchers, herons, a yellowhammer and some grass snakes!

Drawing

Drawing birds has been something we have attempted weekly, sketching in our nature journals or using online drawing tutorials.  It has been great to see how their body shapes differ and to learn some of the differences between male and female as well.

Listening

Classical Music Inspired by Birds put together by Mary Prather of SQUILT Music Appreciation has been a highlight.  These pieces were a real delight to listen to and the children spent some time drawing the instruments and birds.

Reading

As always, some wonderful books and resources have been good friends to us on our bird journey.

Happy bird spotting!