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Last week we introduced learners to backyard bird watching. This week, we’ll take students deeper into how to identify birds by using recommended birding apps and books. You’ll also find activities and tips on bird behaviours, binoculars and bird baths.

During their sit spot this week, learners will turn bird sketches into true scientific observations. Use this journal template to help students add more details about birds they see and the environment around them. Encourage learners to return to the same sit spot at different times of the day to notice differences in bird activity. Or, try building a bird bath (see below) and do a sit spot beside it.

After exploring birds in their backyards, students will dive deeper into how to identify them. In this week’s video, Wildsight Educators Ayla and Kim help learners record and identify what birds they see. After watching the video, students can take the Who Am I Challenge to further sharpen their birding skills.

Zoom! Zip! Zigzag! Sometimes, birds are simply too fast, too far or too unpredictable to watch effectively with our eyes alone. That’s why binoculars are widely considered a birder’s best friend. This binocular basics resource will help students learn how to properly use binoculars and help focus their attention to enhance their bird watching experiences exponentially.

Bird watching will undoubtedly be more fun with more birds around. One way to attract more birds to your yard is by building a bird bath. Build your own backyard water feature that’s helpful for both birds and bees. A bird and bee bath can be as simple as putting a pie plate on a tomato cage, or as complex as a towering stack of decorated rocks with a shallow container you might have laying around.

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