Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in halifax, NS

Do You Know Your Birds?

by Raechelle Masuda

February 16, 2009

This week is the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is an annual 4 day event across North America. For 15 minutes a day, people tally the birds they see in their area, to help scientists get an idea of the birds out there. For example, "In 2008, participants reported more than 9.8 million birds of 635 species. They submitted more than 85,000 checklists, an all-time record for the count ."

I think this is an amazing activity that we can all get our children involved in. There are regional checklists to help you know what to look for. Halifax's checklist can be found here (you may need to put in your postal code). The Great Backyard Bird Count also has a great section for kids , that includes activities, colouring sheets and much more.

The website includes three easy steps for children (and their parents) to get involved:

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 13–16, 2009. You can count each day or just some of the days and you can count in different places. Just be sure to keep a separate list of birds for each day and each location.

2. For each type of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. For example, maybe you see two chickadees when you start watching, then five chickadees a few minutes later. The number you put on your list for chickadees is five. Do not add two plus five. (This way way you don't accidentally count the same bird twice.)

3. Enter your results on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site! Then watch the maps as more and more people enter their reports.

So how about it, will you be counting the birds in your area this year?

Winter Birds

by Raechelle Masuda

January 12, 2009

Our preschooler has been thoroughly enjoying all the snow we have. Everyday we head outside to dig, eat snow (her not me!) and sled down our little hill that is in our front yard. It has been wonderful to enjoy our yard in the winter. We have also had the opportunity to house four gorgeous Blue Jays in our apple tree. Both my preschooler and I are captivated and  Read more...