Recently, Stacia asked “Where’s my Snowy Owl?”, hoping he or she would return so we could see it together. Here’s my thoughts on why this owl hasn’t returned this year.

Last winter (2008-2009) there was a fairly big movement of “winter finches” – Pine Siskins, Common & Hoary Redpolls, and White-winged & Red Crossbills. There were lots of Northern Shrike sightings as well as a Spotted Towhee (rare for our area).

What about Snowy Owls?

This picture was taken two winters ago.

Snowy Owl sightings were fairly regular. At one point in February of last year there were at least FOUR Snowies in LaSalle and DeKalb (Stacia’s) counties.

This year there have been hardly any Snowy Owl sightings in northern Illinois. Also lacking from the bird sightings: all the above listed birds (at least for the most part and in our core counties of coverage: Winnebago, DeKalb, Boone, Ogle).

This pattern seems to fit. The weather and food supply must have been adequate enough to keep the “winter” birds further north (which is a good thing for them). So it really isn’t too surprising that Stacia’s Snowy Owl didn’t return.

Snowy Owl mount at Severson Dells

Learn more about Snowy Owls from Cornell’s All About Birds.

This updated and comprehensive guide to Jamaican birds covers more than 300 species of birds including 25 endemic to Jamaica. There are some 650 photographs by Yves-Jacques Rey-Millet.

Jamaica boasts a wide variety of habitats for a relatively small country (a bit smaller than Connecticut). These diverse habitat types are discussed thoroughly in the introduction along with topics such as migration and conservation.

Sixteen (16) birding hotspots are also covered briefly to aid birders in mapping out good locations to find endemic and “target” birds.

The guide uses all color photographs with two or more shots for many species. The species accounts include detailed information on habitat and behavior (a must for finding and identifying birds) as well as text on voice, range, and status in Jamaica. Multi-colored range maps are also included.

Another cool feature to this guide is that the local bird name is included when it varies from the common name.

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica is a beautiful guide and a must for any birder wanting to visit this Caribbean island. And who wouldn’t want to see the “Old Woman Bird”, the endemic Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo?

Want to go birding in Jamaica? You can win 4 nights stay for two at the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, situated on 6.5 acres of prime birding. Included in this prize is also 1 full day of birding. Full details and to enter before March 29th, 2010.

Disclosure: we were given a copy of this wonderful book by the publisher to review. However, we were not persuaded to say or do anything other than give an honest review, which we have.

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Bird Coloration would make an excellent text book but doesn’t read like one. Definitions of key terms are called out on page for quick reference, the photographs and drawings are matched beautifully to the text, and the information is geared towards birders. Numerous large information blocks called “Birder’s Note” are sprinkled throughout to assist birders of any skill level.

An example “Birder’s Note”

Hiding in the Open Sky: Countershading can make high-soaring hawk and other birds surprisingly hard to see under some light conditions. Patient birders who regularly scan the open sky with their binoculars are rewarded with soaring birds that would otherwise be missed.

The main topics covered in fourteen chapters include:

• Patterns of Variation
• The Visual World of Birds
• Measuring Color
• Pigmentary Coloration
• Structural Coloration
• The Genetics of Coloration
• Environmental Influences
• Warming Up & Wearing Down
• Revealing or Concealing
• Statements of Identity
• Choosing Mates
• Color & Confrontation
• Signaling Strategy
• The Evolution of Color

Each of these chapters can stand alone providing a wonderful reference book to answer specific questions. Discover how some birds are colored in camouflage while others are so bold and obvious. Find out why bluebirds are blue, how color is described and the differences between human and bird vision, among many other fascinating topics.

There is still a great deal of discovery yet to be made when it comes to birds and color, but Bird Coloration provides a great resource for one of the most important topics regarding ornithology and bird identification.

National Geographic Bird Coloration
National Geographic Books
March 16, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4262-0571-2

Disclosure: we were given a copy of this wonderful book by the publisher to review. However, we were not persuaded to say or do anything other than give an honest review, which we have.

We had just gotten done talking about how the Sandhill Cranes had seemed to have disappeared (from previous years, not just seasonally) when not 100 feet from the library building we spotted one! I hadn’t thought to bring my camera so the best I could muster is one with the iPhone.

You can barely make him out in the middle there.

This beautiful bird began calling and then took flight. As we walked around the campus, dodging Canada Geese poo, we heard two or more other cranes calling. A pair even flew gracefully by, sparking comments from other people walking by.

We also heard our first Red-winged Blackbird of the year, another sign that Spring is getting closer every day!

It was a beautiful day to be outside

We wanted to do some early spring hiking and explore the area. This time of year is more full of promises than actual bird sightings. It is an enjoyable “calm before the storm”. Soon we will be overwhelmed with migration!

Horned Lark – Photo by Dakota

Dakota and I also did some road birding. There was a small group of Horned Larks in every farm field and a few American Kestrels on their wire perches. “On-roading” led us north to Van Buren State Park. The wooded areas were full of common birds such Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadees. (I am convinced that Northwest Ohio chickadees have an accent different than Northern Illinois chickadees.) No luck on finding any Brown Creepers, but we did find some Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting about.

Yellow-rumped Warbler at Van Buren State Park – Photo by Dakota

All-in-all, a good day to be out birding!

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You have until Tuesday, March 9th by 5:00 PM (Eastern) to enter.

We use this one from Woodlink which is constructed of durable wood, is easy to clean, and provides ample space for several birds to eat. The feeder can be mounted on a pole, hung from a branch, or just set out on the ground.

Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch

I set the feeder up at Stacia’s out in the country and filled it with safflower seed. So far bird activity has been steady but is mostly of a small variety of species: Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches, Mourning Doves, and House Sparrows.

Surprisingly, a Downy Woodpecker checked it out after a visit to the nearby suet feeder.

I’ve used several brands of platform feeders and most have unceremoniously succumbed to the harsh weather of northern Illinois. The ones that have stood up to more than one winter usually listed wildly in even the smallest of breezes.

Dark-eyed Junco

The Woodlink platform feeder so far is faring much better. The solid construction looks like it will last and despite enduring a lot of wind (open farm country), the feeder remains steady and well-visited.

If you’re looking for a new platform feeder we have this for sale in our OpenSky store. It’s bound to attract some beautiful migrating birds as well as your everyday backyard birds.

In an effort to drastically improve and enhance the Birdfreak Guide to Taking Kids Birding (a handy PDF we created in January 2008) we decided to overhaul it completely. We have been working diligently on crafting what will hopefully become a small book. We have changed the name of this “guide” to Take Kids Birding! to provide a better emphasis on the overall goal: to encourage parents and their children to partake in birding and other nature-related activities.

We would appreciate any feedback including criticism on this section but keep in mind it is a work in progress and hasn’t been through the editor (our sister, Susie) yet. You can leave comments below or email us directly with ideas. Check out the preview to Section One , Section Two, and Section Three.

Section 4 — Going Beyond Birding

The natural world is overflowing with fun and interesting things to discover. Birds are often easily observed but it is also important to spread the focus in as many areas as possible.

Sometimes it will be difficult to find birds but that doesn’t mean you need to stop being outdoors.

4.1. Take a Hike
4.2. Camping Out
4.3. Photography
4.4. Butterflies and Other Insects
4.5. Tracking
4.6. Gardening
4.7. Tree Study

Please note: we have not included hunting or fishing (and some other outdoor activities) here not because they are not worthy of pursuing but because they don’t fit the goal of this book: to get kids birding and participating in “non-consumptive” outdoor activities. We fully support responsible hunting and fishing but our expertise is on natural studies, particularly birding.

Section 4.1 – Take a Hike

Birding doesn’t always involve hiking but hiking can almost always involve a little birding. But going for a hike is an excellent excuse to find other fun natural things. Essentially, hiking is just walking in a more natural setting than a typical neighborhood. Most parks of adequate size have trails specifically for hiking.

Before heading out on a trail it is a good idea to have an idea of where the trail goes and how long it is. Many parks now have maps posted online that you can download and print prior to going. Plus, a lot of parks have signs with maps at trailheads along with markers throughout the trail’s route.

Hiking is a great outdoor activity because it is so adaptable. It doesn’t really matter how many kids (and adults) you are with, you can bring the family dog, and you can set your own pace, time, distance, and, within reason, your route. (It’s often a good idea to remain on the trail unless you really know your whereabouts.)

Hiking is also inexpensive. As long as your shoes are comfortable and can withstand the terrain. Wet or rocky conditions may require better, more supportive footwear. But if you plan on hiking a lot this is a great investment and still cheaper compared to other activities.

Hiking also requires no skill level other than basic directional awareness.

Plus, there are an ever-growing number of paved, handicap-accessible trails that offer everyone the ability to get out into some truly natural areas.

Beyond the fun of hiking are several “bonuses” that occur without even trying. Kids with attention difficulties often find being out in nature to improve concentration. Kids with anxiety or stress-related problems find hiking to be calming. The natural setting also provides mental stimulation and encourages critical thinking, questioning, and creativity.

With the growing number of kids facing physical health issues, specifically from being overweight, hiking encourages a healthier lifestyle without feeling like exercise. When you’re on a trail the focus is on the surroundings, exploration, and discovery, not doing a set number of jumping jacks or a timed amount of cardiovascular activity.

The only real downsides to hiking are poorly maintained trails (heavily overgrown with vegetation), situations where there are unwanted activities on or around the trail (biking, shady characters), bad weather, and an overabundance of biting insects.

So if your young one isn’t quite sold on birding, hiking can be a great way to get out there first. And being out in nature is the first step to becoming a birder.

Section 4.2 — Camping Out

Thankfully, there are many local, state, and national parks that encourage camping. Some get overrun with locals looking to party on summer weekends, but usually there are plenty of open spots away from the “riff-raff”.

Camping out is not for everyone but everyone should try it at least once. To get the most out of it, we suggest tent camping with no electricity. You aren’t required to rough it completely, but unplug from all the gadgets of the “real world” and escape for a night, weekend or longer.

It is important to pick a site that is flat and where the ground is soft enough to pound in tent pegs/stakes. If you bring extra blankets you can add padding to make a softer, more comfortable bed beyond just a sleeping bag. Just don’t forget your pillow!

Camping teaches all sorts of skills and takes you back to an age where you had less and needed to do everything for yourself. Water doesn’t come freely out of the kitchen faucet and your home requires a little patience and work to construct. (Although many tents are quite easy to put up, usually taking less than twenty to thirty minutes.)

Cooking outdoors is also a fun treat, even if it just involves roasting hot dogs and making s’mores. Getting a little dirty and dealing with the imperfections of being outside non-stop are challenges that will improve a child’s well-being and attitude for the rest of their lives.

Camping provides a unique opportunity to stay up past dark and listen to night creatures. If you are diligent, you can also find a lot of these night creatures by carefully searching with flashlights. This is a great way to hear owls and if you’re lucky, see them too.

Besides participating in the animal night life this is one of the best opportunities to look at the night sky. This will be much better in more wild places but many campgrounds are removed enough from city lights to provide a quite eye-opening look at the stars. You don’t need to know anything about astronomy (although this is yet another interesting outdoor activity) to appreciate the beauty and awe of the night sky.

As fun as it is to stay up late sitting around the campfire telling ghost stories, it’s also great to wake early in the morning to the chorus of birds. This dawn concert is one of the greatest experiences for a birder and for triggering an ongoing yearning to learn more about the natural world.

Camping affords you the convenience of being in a wild location to fully absorb yourself in nature.

Section 4.3 — Photography

Any form of photography can be done at practically any age. Digital cameras are priced well and most have all the features you need for creative photography.

Starting photography at a young age will keep a child interested in observing and documenting fun things they discover for years to come. A camera that can take good close-up (macro) shots is a plus, enabling photography of small items held in the hand.

As long as the child knows that a camera is not a toy but a tool, they will most definitely care for it. This is something that should be determined on a kid-by-kid basis.

Bird photography is a bit trickier with simple point-and-shoot cameras. Digital SLR cameras and telephoto lenses cost hundreds or thousands of dollars so are not as feasible for younger kids.

However, a point-and-shoot can be used successfully with a spotting scope in what is known as digiscoping. This is one way to get bird photos while spending less money (so long as you already own or plan to purchase a spotting scope).

We explain digiscoping in great detail in Part 2 which is geared toward teenagers.

Section 4.4 – Butterflies and Other Insects

“Butterflying” is another great activity outdoors, especially in areas where there is great diversity of species. Many newer optics enable really close focus distances and are perfect for watching butterflies.

You can also bring a net to catch and release species to better observe and identify. There are numerous books on butterflies and other insects. We recommend the Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America and the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America.

Surprisingly, kids who have difficulties staying focused in general often are the most sophisticated and dedicated at discovering bugs. If a child strays into this field by all means encourage their wondering mind.

Section 4.5 – Tracking

Tracking has become a lost art but can be extremely fun and lead do some neat discoveries. There are books on tracking and as soon as you learn the basic footprints, new discoveries will come easier.

Which way was that deer going? How many raccoons were in the drying creek bed? Is that a fox or a coyote track?

Along with tracking you can investigate scat (poop), owl pellets, feathers, bones, and more. The outdoor world is limitless in the amount of secrets out there just waiting to be unlocked.

A secondary but related-to activity of tracking is nest or den-building. This involves mimicking a wild animal in ways where the child creates an animal home of the natural surroundings. This need not be completely accurate but by pretending to be an animal it is easier to understand what animals need to survive and how nature works to assist in their survival.

This is a great backyard activity as well because it provides endless outdoor entertainment, creativity, and a place for a child to go to relax and think.

Section 4.6 – Gardening

Gardening is a great way to teach children about nature and food production. It also provides readily available helpers to dig, plant, weed, and harvest saving you much back-breaking work.

Seriously though, planting a vegetable garden improves the likeliness of children eating a wider variety of foods and provides a better understanding of where food comes from. Plus, tending to a garden, including any types of flowers, gives a great sense of fulfillment when it is time to harvest or the flowers are in bloom.

Even if the garden or particular plants do not turn out, protecting and caring for plant life is constant learning through action. Failures are, of course, part of any type of learning experience.

Gardening is also therapeutic for people of all ages. Kids playing in the dirt tend to be calmer and more relaxed (even outside of the garden). Plus, dirt holds all sorts of small life forms waiting to be investigated. Kids that play in the dirt are also thought to be more resistant to illness due to the germs the interact with which helps improve their immune system.

As many adults can attest to, playing in the dirt is always fun!

Section 4.7 – Tree Study

Scientifically known as dendrology, the study of trees never gets dull. In fact, all plant life is infinitely interesting and can often be a welcomed distraction when birding gets slow. Knowing your trees is extremely beneficial to finding birds. It helps determine the habitat and the likeliness of certain birds showing up.

Identifying trees is surprisingly difficult despite that trees don’t fly away (although they do migrate, just not in the same sense as birds). It can be confusing to know what to look for to determine what type of conifer you are standing under or which type of maple is shading your house.

Thankfully, The Sibley Guide to Trees provides an excellent, complete reference to most native (and commonly cultivated) trees of most of North America.

With a fully-loaded, detailed 30 page introduction, this guide begins at the beginning describing what makes a tree a tree and moves along on the taxonomy (how the trees are arranged in the book). These critical “baby steps” are all important for making full use of the guide.

Each component of the tree is discussed with accompanying illustrations and examples from species found throughout the book. The components include: leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, buds, and bark.

These introductory pages are critical when it comes to knowing what to look for to make the identification.

The guide focuses on the majority of native trees of North America with the exclusion of those found only in southern Florida. This exception could be considered a bit of a fault, like leaving out birds found only in southern Texas. However, Sibley’s decision to do this in favor of commonly cultivated ornamental trees will be much more useful to the majority of tree enthusiasts.

The layout of The Sibley Guide to Trees is familiar to those who use Sibley’s bird guide. This design has proven to be not only visually appealing but functional for digesting the information and making an identification. Pertinent artwork is used for each species, so not all species show the full tree or other components that don’t aid in the identification process.

Some species have an additional highlighted box with interested facts about a tree, such as the Quaking Aspen):

“Groves of Quaking Aspen can all be parts of a single plant, each stem connected to a common root system. These single organisms can cover many acres, and one in Utah is estimated to be 80,000 years old, possibly the oldest living thing on Earth . . .” pg. 230

Range maps are also included to assist in knowing where to find nearly identical species.

With a better understanding of trees and other plant life birding becomes easier and the natural world becomes even more desirable to spend countless hours outside marveling in it.

There are many other activities that gets kids outside which is really the whole point. As soon as kids are outside they begin to absorb nature’s wonders in ways they can never learn from television, books, or schoolwork. So go outside and help open kids’ eyes to the real world.

Part 2 focuses on much of the same topics but is geared towards teenagers. Some topics such as photography and using computer resources are discussed in great depth. Stay tuned for more previews of Take Kids Birding!

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The cost of this one-day event was low; 30 dollars for both Dakota and myself. I thought it would be a good way to learn more about our new state of Ohio and meet up with some great people.

Kenn Kaufman was invited to be the keynote speaker for the event. Kenn and his wife Kim are immersed in the birding world and each have the ability to make a person feel right at ease. Kim is a great inspiration to young birders her enthusiasm is catching. The Kaufmans are easy to talk to and make you feel more excited about birds and the natural environment. We can’t wait to do some birding with them!

Kenn Kaufman’s Presentation

Kenn’s presentation was called “Fresh Fields: the World View of a Perpetual Beginner“. Anyone studying nature, from the smallest beginner to the largest expert, would get the most out of this talk. An expert at birds might not be an expert at plant identification; therefore they are also a beginner. It is problematic to love studying everything outdoors because of the fact that you cannot possibly explore everything and it can feel overwhelming.

When I personally think of all the places to I want to go birding (such as Peru); it doesn’t take long for my head to swim with all the choices. Imagine then studying insects, trees, or fish! We are always a beginner at something.

Kenn also discussed in his presentation some of the technical aspects of how he created the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. He was able to take the good points from drawings and photos and turn them into a perfect mix to identify birds in the field. VERY COOL.

Kenn Kaufman’s Presentation

The eight other presentations were also very interesting. The Executive Director of the Ohio Biological Survey, David Horn, gave a presentation of a 35-year study of birds on his own land in Hocking County, Ohio. He was able to collect useful data and discussed trends, changes in habitats and possible reasons for increasing/decreasing populations.

David Horn’s Presentation

Two other bird-focused presentations included a survey of wintering raptors in an area called the Wilds east-central Ohio and information on the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II that is currently in-progress.

There were other presentations on various topics of flora, wetlands and even environmental law. Of the non bird-related presentations one especially caught Dakota’s interest. Rich Bradley, an Associate Professor at the Ohio State University presented “Spiders of a Rural Residential Lot in Central Ohio“. Over the years he has identified over 153 species of spiders on a small area of land where he lives. To people with arachnophobia: there is nowhere to hide!

Dr. Richard A. Bradley

I would recommend this conference to any nature lover. It was inexpensive, interesting and a great way to learn about the natural world in Ohio.

Good birding to you!

Audubon is working hard to help mitigate this decline and hopefully reverse the trend. One way you can help is by becoming a member of The National Audubon Society.

I received this mailer which to my delight, had a picture of a beautiful Wood Thrush that looked familiar.

Oh, that’s because it was a photo I took in May 2008.

This was way cool to say the least. We have offered up a large majority of all photos taken by the Birdfreak Team and to have this photo as part of a marketing campaign to get new members is awesome!

I’d love to know if any readers received this mailer and if they are not a member, would they consider joining?

Audubon has a wonderful article you can read on Wood Thrushes in Vermont.

The following is a review of the Swarovski EL Traveler Binoculars. Birdfreak.com has an ongoing partnership with Swarovski Optik. A few years ago I purchased a pair of Swarovski EL bins and would never want to use another brand. Since then, Swarovski has been super generous to us in getting awesome equipment in our hands. Our digiscoping rig is completely Swarovski (minus the camera of course) and more recently we’ve gotten a pair of Swarovski EL Traveler.

As part of The New Birder Experience, the Swarovski EL Traveler is Stacia’s (our new birder). This review is based on her opinions of the optics. Since I “officially” introduced her to birding, she has used only Swarovski bins: my ELs and the Traveler. Her view may be considered bias but consider that her impression is based with some purity: she has never had a crummy pair of binoculars!

As expected, the image quality lived up to Swarovski’s high standards providing clear and amazingly sharp images. Focusing on a bird was extremely easy, especially for a beginner and setting up the alignment was simple.

The 8×32s are light-weight and the “thumb” indentations provide for a perfect fit even while wearing heavy gloves. After a few hours of use they did start to feel a bit heavy around the neck (something that could be improved with a “binocular harness”).

The look of the Travelers is stylish yet not intimidating. From the first time of use Stacia was comfortable operating the bins and could tell they were highly durable.

The magnification and field of view were perfect for quickly finding birds when we were out on the Rock Cut Christmas Bird Count. The technical specs on the EL Travelers are 8x magnification and a field of view of 420 feet/1000 yards with a close focus of 7 feet. This close focus is perfect if you plan on getting into “butterflying” as well as birding.

The bins are 100% waterproof and fogproof and withstood -5 degrees Fahrenheit without any fogging.

Such high quality optics come at a premium price. But if you are serious about birding, getting high-end optics is a great way to go because of their durability and supreme quality. You really will never need another pair as they will last a lifetime.

The EL Travelers come with a Snap Shot adapter which slides over one barrel’s eyepiece and provides a quick and easy way to take a photo with a point-and-shoot camera without a lot of hassle. This added feature is a nice way to capture diagnostic or “proof” shots without carrying a full digiscoping rig or large camera.

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The 13th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) results are in. The Birdfreaks birded three locations and two states, coming up with a (modest) grand total of 22 species this year and 233 total individuals based on the highest number seen over all four days.

Birding the backyards this time of year can be hit or miss. The Saturday prior to the count, Jennie and Dakota were witness to over a hundred American Robins. The highest number for the count was only 30.

American Robins (last week)

Highlights from Genoa, Illinois
New GBBC species for the Birdfreak Team this year were Snow Buntings, Horned Larks and American Tree Sparrows.

Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, American Crow, House Sparrow and Mourning Dove completed the list.

Total Species: 8
Total Birds (based on overall highest number of individuals): 44

American Tree Sparrows

Highlights for Rockford, Illinois
In past winters we have seen Pine Siskins, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Common Redpolls in the Callaway yard. Not one of these showed up for the GBBC this year. The locals still made an appearance – Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches and American Crows as well as lots of Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches and House Sparrows.

Total Species: 10
Total Birds (based on overall highest number of individuals): 33

Black-capped Chickadee

Highlights from Findlay, Ohio
The Findlay location is a good place for the GBBC because of the amount of viewing area and variety. Two farm fields, a road with power lines, a large open yard and two tree lines are well within eyesight of counting from the living room and bedroom windows.

This large field of view however did not produce much in the way of numbers. The numbers came mostly from Canada Geese.

Two Northern Mockingbirds, some American Robins and the new Findlay “yard bird” (Rock Pigeons) added numbers along with some boisterous Northern Cardinals and a small number of American Crows.

Total Species: 15
Total Birds (based on overall highest number of individuals): 156

Northern Cardinal

Cold weather, blowing and falling snow and fog all affected counting this year in the three locations. Nonetheless, we had a good time and did our best to help provide a snapshot of birds across the country.

Good birding!

In an effort to drastically improve and enhance the Birdfreak Guide to Taking Kids Birding (a handy PDF we created in January 2008) we decided to overhaul it completely. We have been working diligently on crafting what will hopefully become a small book. We have changed the name of this “guide” to Take Kids Birding! to provide a better emphasis on the overall goal: to encourage parents and their children to partake in birding and other nature-related activities.

We would appreciate any feedback including criticism on this section but keep in mind it is a work in progress and hasn’t been through the editor (our sister, Susie) yet. You can leave comments below or email us directly with ideas. Check out the preview to Section One and Section Two.

Section 3 — Keeping the Interest

Kids tend to get hungry and thirsty when outdoors and especially if the birding hike starts leaning towards “boring”. Make sure to always bring snacks and drinks and maybe even a lunch to eat out on the trail. It is fun to eat outside (again, away from structure and order) and also gives a “goal” to the walk – reaching a special place in the woods to eat.

Many of the new(er) gadgets used in birding are perfect for keeping the interest alive as well.

If you are willing to lug around a spotting scope, do so. Many birds love to perch in plain view. A close-up view of a Red-tailed Hawk or Great Blue Heron brings an amazing new appreciation and excitement of these “common” birds.

Audio devices such as iPods with portable speakers are a great way to “call in” birds and also to teach children the bird sounds. If you see, for example, an Eastern Towhee, playing their song and call even after the bird has flown, will help teach the child what to listen for.

3.1. Birding With Multiple Kids
3.2. Life Lists
3.3. Feeding Birds
3.4. Providing Water
3.5. Building Bird Houses
3.6. Field Notebooks/Sketching
3.7. When to Call it Quits

Section 3.1 Birding With Multiple Kids

Birding with more than one kid is fine and has some great advantages. For starters, you are teaching more kids at once but you also have more eyes to help spot movement and more ears to hear a strange bird call. But there are limits.

The most kids any one adult birder should take out at a time depends on their ages and abilities. We recommend at most four to six kids per adult because a larger group makes walking on narrow paths harder and usually leads to more talking, noise, and horsing around. Be prepared to walk at a slower pace, and accept the fact that having more children with you may limit what you see.

For larger groups, like school field trips and scout outings, just make sure to follow the above suggestion as best as possible. It may be a good idea to split the group up and go in different directions. Consider bringing two-way radios to stay in contact with the multiple groups, letting others know what birds are being seen.

Section 3.2 Life Lists

There have been great debates about whether or not to keep “life lists” of birds seen. We enjoy them and thus keep them. For children, life lists can be a cool addition to their birding outings. Reaching goals helps retain the interest and relive the memories of new birds found.

You can celebrate a child’s 50th, 100th, etc. bird in a special way. Of course, building a big list shouldn’t be the only reason to go birding, but everyone likes feeling a sense of accomplishment. Keeping lists in general is a good idea. A trip list recapping what you saw helps reiterate the birds even more. Reviewing birds on the list with the bird book improves the learning process.

Keeping lists with dates seen also helps to understand that certain birds are around at different times of the year and provides a comparison throughout the year and from year to year.

For the very youngest birders, you might want to skip the lists because it is hard to know what they actually see or will remember seeing later. It’s not so much of a “check it off as completed” list but a benchmarking tool into the progress as a birder.

Every sighting should be enjoyed but naturally new birds discovered will garner more excitement than the 200th sighting of a Common Grackle.

Section 3.3 Feeding Birds

As discussed earlier, bird feeding stations can be a great place to begin an interest in birds. If you don’t already have one, consider putting up a feeder or two.

Start small by purchasing a thistle sock and filling it with thistle (nyjer) seed. This will attract colorful finches such as goldfinches, House and Purple Finches, and in the winter birds like Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins, depending on where you live. These are also easy to maintain so long as they don’t rip and you wash them if they get dirty.

There are many other feeder types and seeds available. Each will attract different birds and some will attract “unwanted” species that will take control over the feeders. Squirrels and other animals will try and get at the seed as well.

The key to a good feeding station is to keep everything clean and in good shape and to offer a variety. Hummingbird feeders are another highly successful type and depending on where you live, could attract some really interesting species.

In southern Wisconsin there was a Green-breasted Mango (a bird normally found in Mexico) that regularly visited a woman’s hummingbird feeder. Birds can show up anywhere at any time!

Section 3.4 Providing Water

A good source of fresh, running water can be just as important as food and shelter for attracting birds. You don’t need an expensive water feature to make birds happy.

With just a simple garden hose and a shallow basin such as a garbage can lid you can create a dripper that is an absolute magnet for birds. Attach a nozzle to the hose and loosen it ever so slightly to let the water drip. Turn it off over night to conserve water.

We’ve attracted over twenty species of warblers among other birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and more by just using this simple method.

You may want to purchase a hose separator that allows for multiple hoses and that lets you alter the water flow or easily turn it off. This also ensures that you don’t monopolize your garden-watering hose.

Section 3.5 Building Bird Houses

You don’t need to be skilled with tools to construct your own bird house (or feeder). There are many kits available that have pre-cut wood and entrance holes for specific species of birds. If you are handy, than you can construct a bird house from scrap wood with plans readily available on the internet.

The key is to size the entrance whole properly to allow only the wanted species of bird. If it is too big, larger birds will take over or mammals and snakes will invade if a smaller bird tries to nest.

You can get more information including design plans here:

http://www.freebirdhouseplans.net/freebuildingbirdhouseplans.html

Section 3.6 Field Notebooks/Sketching

One of the most overlooked techniques in learning bird identification (and increasing the joy of birding) is keeping a field notebook. These notebooks, sketchbooks, or journals, can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.

Every time you are in the field, carry your notebook with and when a new bird is found, observe it as long as possible and then sketch and write all the details you saw. Being an artist is not a requirement.

Your journal should have plenty of space for a simple (or detailed) sketch and information about song, behavior, habitat, colors, size comparison, etc. Keeping track of the location, date and weather conditions is important too. You can then compare future sightings to the journal entries.

By allowing yourself to draw and write about a sighting you focus tighter on important features that are often overlooked by just observing. Often when you consult a field guide to compare, you will have that critical detail that determines a proper identification and in doing so, will remember for future sightings.

You don’t need a fancy, waterproof guide (although they work well). Any mid-sized notebook with a hard cover coupled with a few mechanical pencils is all you need to get your field journal started.

Section 3.7 When to Call it Quits

If a kid is showing the signs of boredom, tiredness, etc., it is best to end the outing. Forced enjoyment of something is a ridiculous idea and you’d be better off trying again another time. Kids can be finicky (just like adults) and sometimes they just aren’t in the mood to learn new stuff or hike in the heat or cold. You can always try another day.

Perhaps the most important thing about birding with kids is to make sure they aren’t feeling like they are learning. You shouldn’t quiz them or expect them to remember everything they see or hear.

Ask them what their favorite sighting was and share in their excitement. Keeping a list is a good idea. You can use how many species you saw as a goal to beat the next time out. Making birding into an outdoor game easily rivals any indoor video game.

You can also partake in a whole slew of other natural, outdoor activities as well. These are discussed in Section 4.

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February sixth, the day after a six inch snowfall and apparently having been told we are to have six more weeks of winter, these robins decided to eat almost every last berry: all on the same day! About six Blue Jays hung around all day to help with the berry feast along with a Northern Mockingbird pair and a few European Starlings.

Why that day? My son Dakota who has decided to start up blogging again thinks he has the real scoop : American Robin Warfare. I don’t know about that, but it sure was interesting to watch.

Now we’ll see who shows up for the Great Backyard Bird Count! Good birding out there and stay warm!

No shortage of snow here!

The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is starting today! Are you taking part?

The GBBC is a four day event that captures a “snapshot” of where the birds are across North America. By counting for fifteen minutes (or more) and tallying species by highest number of individuals seen at one time, anyone can become a Citizen Scientist. Any level of birder can participate!

What’s in your backyard? (Red-tailed Hawk)

Last year, according to Audubon, “participants turned in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating the continent’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations”.

The Birdfreaks are counting in three separate cities this year: Rockford, Illinois (parents, Susie and her girls), Genoa, Illinois (Eddie and Stacia), and Findlay, Ohio (Jennie and Dakota).

We’ll be posting our results next week. Good birding to you!

Snow or shine: it’s the easiest count of the year! (Pine Siskin)

I had gotten info that a Peregrine Falcon was hanging around downtown Rockford, Illinois so thought I’d take the <10 minute drive in and see if I could get some photos.

This is the building where near the top of the large tower the bird was perched in a window. I got out the digiscoping rig and while standing in a parking lot amongst the waking city traffic I snapped a few photos.

The falcon seemed content to stay perched so I decided to venture off to Rock Cut State Park and do some hiking. The sun was desperately trying to come out so it was a good choice! Birds were much more plentiful than previous outings: Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and numerous woodpeckers were busy foraging.

Downy Woodpecker

Cedar Waxwing eating a berry

I was hoping to find one of the resident Pileated Woodpeckers but could only hear one calling and pecking and found what looks like a former nest hole.

It felt extremely great to get out, enjoy a bit of sun, and photograph some birds. But I still am anxious for spring!!

In an effort to drastically improve and enhance the Birdfreak Guide to Taking Kids Birding (a handy PDF we created in January 2008) we decided to overhaul it completely. We have been working diligently on crafting what will hopefully become a small book. We have changed the name of this “guide” to Take Kids Birding! to provide a better emphasis on the overall goal: to encourage parents and their children to partake in birding and other nature-related activities.

We would appreciate any feedback including criticism on this section but keep in mind it is a work in progress and hasn’t been through the editor (our sister, Susie) yet. You can leave comments below or email us directly with ideas. Check out the preview to Section One here.

Section 2 — Where to Find Birds

Birds are practically everywhere. They can be found in big cities, on rural farms, and everywhere in between. There are many different types of habitats and each habitat will have different birds (with some overlapping). The better the habitat, the more diversity and the higher number of birds. But birds can practically show up anywhere at just about any time.

There are some places that are geographically located to have “better” birding. Plus, some lands that have been preserved because of their great habitats will naturally offer enhanced chances to find more birds. The great news is that no matter where you live, there’s bound to be a great place to find some really cool birds.

2.1 Your Own Backyard (Bird Feeders)

Backyards and bird feeders are an excellent way to start a kid birding. Many famous, world class birders began at a feeder. Even if your backyard is small or non-existant, if you can put up a feeder within view of a window you are bound to attract some birds.

There are often discussions about the environmental friendliness of feeding birds in an “artificial” setting, but for now the educational benefits of a well-kept feeding station outweigh any negatives.

Feeders provide all the essentials for a new birder: birds (of course!), a concentrated area to practice using bins, and the opportunity for long term study in comfort. Plus, as many great birders will tell you, it is important to get the “common” birds down before seeking anything elusive or rare.

Kids that have yet to master the use of binoculars will enjoy watching birds visit the feeders with the naked eye. This is also a good place to start an interest in photographing birds (discussed later).

The best way to set up a feeding station is to go to your local bird feed store or home improvement store and start small. Purchase a small to medium sized multi-purpose feeder that can hang from a tree limb and a thistle feeder or sock.

The multi-purpose feeder can be filled with sunflower seeds which are less expensive than safflower but higher quality than the “mix” seed bags which have low-quality filler seeds. The thistle feeder or sock (mesh bag) can be filled with thistle (sometimes called nyjer) seed which is a bit more expensive but attracts finches amazingly.

The goal in any feeding station is to have a variety of seed which can include suet bricks as well, at varying heights and feeders. Some birds naturally forage on the ground so spreading seed there will attract them. Of course, squirrels and other animals will also be attracted to a free offering of food so be on the lookout.

Most feeders can be equipped with commercial or home-made baffles that when installed well make it much harder for squirrels to pillage.

Once your feeding station is set up don’t get discouraged if no birds show up for several days. Have patience because once birds discover a good source of food they’re likely to return again and again.

Note: some small feeder birds like Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches become highly accustomed to people especially around feeders. Some really patient birders have been able to stand with an offering of seed and have birds literally eating out of their hands.

2.2 Bird Banding

If you live in close proximity to a bird banding station take every opportunity you have to visit. We began our interest in birds because of banding.

Bird banding in a nutshell is this: a licensed master bander catches wild birds in mist nets, records data about the bird, bands it, and then releases it.

The information gathered from bird banding is some of the most precise and important for bird population study and conservation. The birds banded are just a sample of a given area’s birds but it provides study opportunities not always available in the field.

In our home county in northern Illinois we are lucky to have one of the world’s premiere banding facilities – Sand Bluff Bird Observatory. Here, the banders put on a “show” describing in great detail not just what the banders are doing but about all sorts of topics ranging from bird color to conservation. The overwhelming feeling quickly gives way to just plain awe-inspiring learning.

No matter how many hours you put in the field, your chances of being eye to eye with a Baltimore Oriole are low. Bird banding gives that first hand “feel” to just how cool birds are.

If you reside somewhere that does not offer good backyard birding, bird banding can be a great alternative to spark the interest in birds.

Section 2.3 Open areas/Wetlands

Once the feeders have been thoroughly scrutinized and your brain is full of bird banding information, it is time to go into the field—or prairies, wetlands, etc. Any open natural area that has nearly 360 degree views will do.

Try to go to a place where you know there will be birds. Even if the birds are common (or even the same ones as the feeders) this will give kids more practice using bins and also increase the excitement of finding new birds.

Wetlands and rookeries are great places to visit as many of the birds are large and more stationary. A lake with a variety of ducks in it can be a great place (although you may need a spotting scope) as ducks often provide easier targets and still enough diversity to make use of a field guide.

If the weather is cold or the little ones are tired from hiking, take a drive down a quiet road (gravel roads work well for this) to look in farm fields for open country birds. Roadways with powerlines running parallel to them will often have raptors perched on them. This is a great way to find American Kestrels and Red-tailed Hawks. Powerlines often hold flycatchers and other birds as well.

Section 2.4 Other Birding Spots

Where you bird largely depends on how close your access is to superb birding places. Thankfully, nearly anywhere in the United States you are within an hour from a great birding location. You may not live near one of the best of the best, but we guarantee you’re closer than you think to great birding.

Start with your county map and look for state parks, forest preserves, large city parks with water sources (like creeks, rivers, ponds and even recreational man-made lakes), national forests, etc. Anywhere with public access, trails, and a variety of habitat will mean a diversity of birds.

After scouring your immediate area, look for other, larger state parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks, state recreational areas, National trails, and more. Check out places like the National Audubon Society [www.audubon.org] and the Nature Conservancy [www.nature.org] for even more places. These last two are often some of the most unique and pristine areas in the country.

Many states now have official state or regional birding trails. These trails consist of a series of birding spots linked together by driving routes. They have maps and additional information to guide you in finding the location as well as what species you can expect to encounter.

You can view an updated list of birding trails here: http://www.aba.org/resources/birdingtrails.html

So after a two hour drive and a two-mile bird hike it is likely the kids are getting tired or even the dreaded “b” word: bored. The next section provides some ideas for keeping the interest going, short and long term.

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Kroger Community Rewards Program – Kroger Stores are donating dollars to nonprofit organizations and one group has joined up to help bird conservation. The Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) in Oak Harbor, Ohio is part of the rewards programs and urges local shoppers to sign up via a simple online process. Each time a signed up member swipes their Kroger card, the BSBO automatically earns a rebate. Easy, breezy conservation dollars.

Less in the Landfill – A lot of direct mail advertising ends up in the landfill. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a few tips on how to reduce your junk mail. On of those ways is through a free service called Direct Mail Marketing. This takes you off lists by category or all at once.

JUNK MAIL creates four million tons of preventable waste each year. The enormous waste generated by junk mail has a big negative impact. This junk…
* Costs taxpayers $320 million in disposal fees annually.
* Destroys 62 million trees a year.
* Creates 28 billion gallons of wastewater per year.
* Fills 3% of America’s landfills.
* 44% percent is unopened, unread and trashed.
—Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The dust (snow) is settling around the big move to Ohio and blustery weather has not encouraged birding. Dakota and I have realized a good window view is perfect for those days that don’t go much beyond single digit temperatures.

The welcoming committee from our living room window

The discovery of a Northern Mockingbird pair hanging out near our window has brightened the winter considerably. A rare occurrence in northern Illinois made the regular viewing in Missouri much more exciting and I was afraid we wouldn’t see many here in Ohio. The pair spends a lot of time chasing other birds on a regular basis since we’ve moved in. They are becoming one of my favorite birds.

The view

The birding excursions, though rather short, have included two small conservation areas in Hancock County, Ohio; Litzenberg Memorial Woods and Blue Rock Forest Preserve.

Litzenberg Memorial Woods
Litzenberg Memorial Woods is a 227 acre part of the Hancock County Park system and includes some trails and a farm. The area was donated for conservation and is relatively new to the public; 1995.

Dakota and I took a half mile trail in melting snow-turned-to-ice. Our total bird list did not even reach a dozen, but it was nice to be “hiking in Ohio” for the first time.

Litzenberg Memorial Woods – Hancock County, Ohio

Blue Rock Nature Preserve
A second place we checked out was Blue Rock Nature Preserve, a small 11-acre wooded area in Findlay. We had our first Ohio sighting of a White-breasted Nuthatch and watched some rowdy Northern Cardinals.

History: A gift from the Remington Arms and DuPont Companies, Blue Rock Nature Preserve receives its’ name from the heavy, bluish clay mined from the property in the early 1900’s. Remington Arms Company used the clay for their Blue Rock brand clay sportsmen’s targets. The strip-mined area has now been returned to a natural state. — Hancock Parks

Blue Rock Nature Preserve

Thanks to all the Ohio birders who have been in contact with us; our next goal is to join up with some birding and nature clubs in the area and go on some group field trips. Thanks everyone for all of your input and good birding to you!