Nature Net News
October 2004
Birds of a Feather
"There
is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which
they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before."
Robert Lynd
|
Dear Readers: Welcome to the first issue of Nature Net News – a monthly newsletter with nature facts and fun for families with young explorers! Every month we will investigate a new topic geared to the season and local happenings. Become an “instant expert” and impress your children by checking out “Did you Know…”. Explore with the air of a seasoned adventurer using the helpful hints in “Tricks of the Trail”. A monthly Nature Craft will provide fun activities for busy little hands. And each month’s Featured Nature Net Site, highlighting local nature centers, parks, and museums, will provide hours of outdoor family fun! So, enjoy this first issue, give us feedback, and take advantage of the great resources of south-central Wisconsin through Nature Net! Sincerely, |
Birds' bones are actually hollow to help make them lightweight and ready for flight? Also, their lungs are filled with extra air sacs so when they take a deep breath - it's like blowing up a balloon!
What to do this month:
Check out
family events at area Nature Net
sites!
Watch for migrating birds. You might see some of the following birds migrate though Wisconsin:
- Acadian Flycatcher
- American Bittern
- Blue-wing Teal (duck)
- Bobolink
- Broad-winged Hawk
- Chipping Sparrow
- Common Tern
- Common Yellowthroat
- Gray Catbird
- House Wren
- Laughing Gull
- Osprey
- Ovenbird
- Peregrine Falcon
- Purple Martin
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Scarlet Tanager
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Virginia Rail
- Whip-poor-will
- White-eyed Vireo
- Yellow-headed Blackbird
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Because they can be small and fast moving, watching
birds may be a challenge
for young children. Consider visiting a pond where geese and other
large birds may be foraging and easy to view. Or, take a look at bird silhouettes
and listen to bird calls
before your trip to familiarize the whole family with what you may find
out on the trail.
Instant
Outdoor Expert:
Discover amazing facts on
bird migration and how they do it on the Smithsonian National Zoological
Park Migratory
Bird Center.
Suggested Reading:
"Stellaluna"
by Janell Cannon
"Rabbit and the Moon" by Douglas Wood
International
Crane Foundation
Cranes are a family of birds
that have long been revered by people living near them. In Japan, the
cranes are honored as symbols of long life and a happy marriage. In Viet
Nam, cranes are believed to carry the souls of the dead to heaven. In
North America, Africa, and Australia, native inhabitants have incorporated
the crane's graceful movements into their own dances and regard cranes as
auspicious symbols.
Cranes have inhabited this earth for the last 34 to 50 million years.
Although cranes enjoy a widespread existence (they live on five of the
seven continents), many populations are declining due to habitat loss and
unregulated hunting. Seven of the species are currently designated as
endangered and four others have been proposed for listing.
Against this backdrop ICF was founded in 1973 to become the world's center
for the study and preservation of cranes.
Bird
Feeder of Recycled MaterialsFrom the list above you can see many birds are busy this month. It's often a long trip from here to the sunny climes they will stay in this winter. Be sure to supply your traveling birds with a healthy, energizing snack.
First tie a sturdy string or twine to a large pine cone. Spread peanut butter inside the openings all around the center and bottom of the pine cone and fill up the spaces. Spread bird seed of your choice on a piece of wax paper. Take the pine cone and roll it in the bird seed so that the seeds stick to the peanut butter all around the outside. You may also want to sprinkle seeds inside any openings.
Measure your string to hang down from a branch of a tree or bush so that it is far enough from the branch to keep any squirrels from eating your feeder. Now, tie it to the tree branch. Watch and record who comes to visit your pine cone feeder.
(Nature Craft idea from Wi DNR's EEK!)
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