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A Great Blue Bird House School Project
Recently I came across this article and thought it was a brilliant idea for a 4th grade class elementary school project. Worthy of posting to let as many as possible know about it, 70 bluebird houses were added to a community! This project taught many lessons, including bluebird conservation.
Atlas of Student Action for the Planet
WILDLIFE
Bluebird Houses
Forty-nine students built 70 bluebird houses to hang throughout the neighborhood. The wood was provided by the EPA and was cut by a wonderful volunteer. We then had a great day doing a multitude of math activities based on the geometry of the pieces and then assembled them in the classroom with a variety of electric screwdrivers and hammers. Each kid went home with one blue bird house to put in their own yard and we put up the extras around the school and the surrounding community. We had a blast!
CARRIED OUT BY:
Goodwin School, 4th Grade
Storrs, CT, USARESPONSIBLE TEACHER / SUPERVISOR:
Cantara / ToffenettiSCHOOL PRINCIPAL / GROUP DIRECTOR:
Anne Rash -
An Upside Down Thistle Bird Feeder
Thistle seed, also called Nyger is a favorite among birds and humans alike! Many folks choose to feed thistle seed as it will not germinate…leaving no sprouting grass or weeds below the feeder. Goldfinches aren’t the only birds who eat thistle seed–Pine Siskins, Juncos, Indigo Buntings and other Finches, like the House and Purple finch also feast on thistle seed.
You may have seen an upside down thistle bird feeder before, and the reason is that it only appeals to upside down feeding birds like the Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, and Chickadee. House Finches and Purple Finches will not visit this type of feeder as they are unable to peck at seed. If your plain old tube feeder is being overrun by others, and you’d prefer to attract Goldfinches, an upside down thistle bird feeder might be a good choice!
Birding Tips, Information & News
