summer camp guide - Orlando Family Magazine

(Visit www.a-home-for-wild-birds.com/bird-watching-for-kids) forsome great backyard bird crafts and activities for families.~Pick the right time of day and the right season to watch for birds.The early morning hours are best for observing bird activity. Duringthe Spring and Fall, you are likely to see many birds passing throughyour yard on their migration journey.~Invest in the best binoculars you can afford, ideally a pair for eachmember of the family. Toddlers can use toy binoculars that lookjust like Mom and Dad’s real ones. For older kids, look for the rightsize binocs, preferably ones with a wide field of vision for easier birdspotting, and lower zoom capability to make them lighter to carry.Consult a good optics dealer such as Wild Bird Unlimited in WinterSprings.~Buy a birding field guide for the region where you will be birding.The library and local bookstore have many books for children, as wellas adults.~Practice good birding etiquette. Be respectful of our birds’ dwindlinghabitats; speak in a low voice and stay a distance away from nestingsites. Never bird on private property without the permission of theowner.~The Internet is packed with websites, such as the Florida AudubonSociety (http://fl.audubon.org/) and The Great Florida Birding Trail(http://floridabirdingtrail.com), that offer families good locationswhere to look for birds, what to look for, and when guided field tripsfor birders are planned. Pathways to Nature for Kids(www.wbu.com/pathwaysforkids), a national initiative whose goal is to“Leave No Child Inside”, also offers bird activities for the kids and tipsto help families get the most out of their birding experience.~Encourage kids to journal their sightings. Many birders keep ajournal to record their observations, along with a life list to track birdsthey’ve seen wherever they go in their lifetime.~A camera is good to take along on a bird walk in case you see a birdyou can’t identify. Take a photo and look it up on the Internet at theCornell Lab of Ornithology (the study of birds) at(http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search).~Contact local birding groups, such as the Orange Audubon Society(http://www.orangeaudubonfl.org/) and the Audubon Center forBirds of Prey in Maitland (http://fl.audubon.org/who_centers_CBOP.html),to learn about upcoming education programs and field trips.~Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, water, and a few snacks when youventure out on your family field trips.Through some type of avian osmosis, my children were drawn into myhusband’s and my fascination with birds, and much to my surprise,developed an appreciation for all things with feathers which lasted intotheir adult lives. Best of all, we now have a whole flock of grandkidsjust waiting to be introduced to the thrill of bird watching!www.OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com 25