Many bird watchers say that they first became interested in nature and bird watching
because their parents took the time to share their passion and knowledge with them. Sharing your enthusiasm with your children and their friends and your neighbors can open up their eyes and lead to a lifelong love of birds and the outdoors.
How to Get Involved:
1. Take your children and friends on a bird walk.
Choose your favorite location where there are lots of birds and easy to see. Take time finding birds with binoculars. Look up birds in a field guide, and learn about bird behavior and their particular life styles. Keep a listing and add to your list as you find more birds on other trips.
Prepare before you go so you have a bird guide book and have an idea of the types of birds you will be looking for each trip. Learn as many fun facts about the birds you will be looking for each time. Share stories about the birds as you watch them with your family and friends.
2. Encourage bird-related activities with your children.
All Kids love birds. Birds are a great way to connect your children and their friends and with the science and nature of the outdoors. Learn to be a resource for your childrens school class. You could volunteer to lead a bird activity in the classroom. Fun activities that engage children in observing birds and studding about science help children learn to enjoy their surroundings. Encourage scientific inquiry by asking, and answering, their own questions about birds.
3. Help your child and their friends set up a bird-feeding station, birdbath, and nesting box.
Children first get to know birds by watching them at feeders. Help your child set up their own bird feeder so that they dont become discouraged before they get to watch many birds. Feeders attract lots of birds to watch and learn about. Help them choose and set up their feeder. Then help them set up a birdbath to attract more birds. A nesting box is a good third item to set up. It will help the birds and also your children learn and watch birds settle in and raise their families.
4. Best of all enjoy your birds.
Birds bring great enjoyment to all who take time to look and listen. You can share your passion with those around you, especially your family. Birding gives you and yours an opportunity to do something together. It will bring out the best in you and your children. Time together on short or long trips with binoculars in hand will help cement your relationships. Come together and enjoy your surrounding and the birds and other wild life that live in this world with you.
Be a volunteer and help raise awareness in your community as well as your family and inspire others to learn about birds. Working with your own local community groups will help bring many others into your hobby and your circle of friends.