Activity: Birdwatching in the Hood

A week ago I couldn’t get any work done, so I decided to take a walk down to Bellevue park, a small city park in Silverlake, to eat my lunch and try to escape the heat. In the short hour’s time I was there I saw:

Two Red-Tailed Hawks perched only about 40 feet high in one of the pine trees.

Red-Tailed Hawk

A Hooded Oriole being harassed by some Sparrows.

Hooded Oriole

Sparrow

Lots of Mourning Doves

Mourning Dove

A bird I couldn’t identify that looked similar to a Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Mockingbirds

Mockingbird

and a couple of Brewer’s Blackbirds

Brewer's Blackbird

ACTIVITY for PARENTS:

Bird-watching in your local park

Supplies:

(Though you can do this without any supplies but your eyes and ears.)

Paper and pencil

Binoculars (if you have them, or can borrow them)

Snacks

Camera (if you have one)

Take an hour out of your day and sit under a shady tree at your local park. Look and listen for birds that mill about the trees and on the ground. Have your little one write down any observations about the birds they see; colors, sounds, what they do, how they fly, where they perch, bathe or play, and any other things you may note.

This activity stimulates conversation, teaches patience and observation skills.

When you get home you can look up the birds in a field guide book or do an online search to learn more about your feathered neighborhood friends.

And if your child develops a real passion for birdwatching I recommend a visit to the Audubon Center at Deb’s Park or visit the Los Angeles Audubon Society website for tips and birding event listings.

- Ilana Turner