Great Hobby for Kids? Try Bird Watching

Bird watching for kids is an activity that will bring nature to life.

Bird watching (or birding) is a hobby concerned with the observation and study of wild birds. Kids are naturally curious and love to learn. The behavior of wild birds is what makes them so fascinating to watch.

The best place to introduce your kids to bird watching is in your own backyard. Try hanging a few birdfeeders and watch the reactions as birds begin to come to your feeders.

It won’t be long before the questions are flying. Bird watching (or birding) is a hobby concerned with the observation and study of wild birds.  Kids are

• Where do birds live?
• What do birds eat?
• How do birds fly?
• Why do birds sing?
• What kind of bird is that?

Just relax; birding doesn’t require a vast knowledge of birds. Bird watching gives you an opportunity to learn with your kids. Observing birds gives us a better understanding of their habitats and behaviors.

Bird watching for kids, will be a lot of fun. It is a fantastic hobby that the whole family will enjoy

Watching wild birds can be fun for parents and kids but bird watching for kids can grow into a life long love for nature.

How to Build a Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

Making a soda bottle bird feeder is a great project you can do with your kids. It will only take about 20 minutes…and best of all it is nearly free!

This project is fun and easy, but is also a great way to get a child interested in bird watching. When your child helps you make a bird feeder, instead of purchasing one, they will be much more interested in the wild bird that are attracted to the feeder

Here is what you will need to build a soda bottle bird feeder:

Materials: 1 – 2-liter soda bottle 2 – 5/16″ x 8″ dowels (you can use a tree branch if you like) 1 – 3′ piece of thin solid wire

Tools: Drill 1/16″ drill bit 1/8″ drill bit 5/16″ drill bit Caulking

Procedure: Remove the label from the soda bottle, then clean, rinse and dry. Drill a 1/16″ hole (or a size just big enough for your wire to feed through) in the cap and the bottom of the bottle. With the cap off, feed the wire through the bottom then through the cap (from inside to outside). Replace the cap onto the bottle. Wrap and secure the wire around the neck of the bottle. Make a loop at the end of with least 4″ of wire, in order to hang the bottle.

Drill two 5/16″ holes near the bottom of the soda bottle bird feeder (cap end) on opposite sides and drill two more holes 1/2″ higher. Position the holes so that the perches cross in the center. Insert the perches. Drill or cut holes for the seed. For nyjer seed: cut small slots, 1/4″ x 1/8″, 1 1/2″ above each perch. For sunflower seed: drill 5/16″ holes, 1 1/2″ to 2″ above each perch.

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At first, only fill your new soda bottle bird feeder about half way. This will allow the seed inside to stay fresh until the birds find the new feeder.

Find a spot to hang your feeder that is low enough for your children to see. Then sit back enjoy the new visitors to your yard. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a little time for the birds to locate your new offering. They will soon “flock” to it.

For more great bird watching information visit   www.a-home-for-wild-birds.com

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