February 6, 2019
Kids can count the birds in the backyard! The Great Backyard Bird Count is to be held from February 15-18, 2019. Anyone anywhere in the world can count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at www.BirdCount.org. This would be a great classroom or family activity! Here’s How to Participate.
Winter finch “irruption” will be a highlight for many
For release: January 24, 2019
Evening Grosbeak by GBBC participant Ted Schroeder, Oregon.
—The 22nd
Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place from Friday, February 15 through Monday, February 18. Volunteers from around the world are invited to count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at
birdcount.org. Anyone with internet access can participate, no matter what their skill level—it’s a great family activity, too.
In the United States and Canada, 2019 bird lists are more likely to include sightings of winter finches and grosbeaks that are moving farther south than usual in what’s called an “irruption.” This type of movement is often sparked by poor cone, seed, and berry crops in parts of Canada.
“This year is a very exciting one for backyard birders in the East, headlined by the largest Evening Grosbeak movement in at least two decades,” says the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Marshall Iliff, a leader of the eBird program. “From Atlantic Canada to North Carolina, these colorful feeder visitors have been making a splash.”
Although seed crops were better in western Canada, eBird maps still show significant number of Evening Grosbeaks are now being reported in the West all the way down to the border with Mexico. eBird collects bird observations globally every day of the year and is the online platform used by the GBBC.
Pine Grosbeak male by Candace Trost, GBBC participant, Manitoba, Canada.
This also an above-average year for Red Crossbills, Common Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, and Red-breasted Nuthatches.”The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way for all bird watchers to contribute to a global database of bird populations,” says Dr. Gary Langham, vice president and chief scientist for the National Audubon Society. “Participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count help scientists understand how things like climate change are impacting bird populations so we can better inform our conservation efforts.”
During the 2018 count, bird watchers from more than 100 countries submitted more than 180,000 bird checklists reporting a record 6,456 species–more than half the known bird species in the world.
Common Redpoll by GBBC participant Kathleen Payne, Minnesota.
“With the finch irruption this year, we’re hoping for record bird numbers and another record-breaking year for Canadian participation,” says Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s National Program Director. “In search of a bit of relief from our cold winters, many Canadians become ‘snow birds’ at this time of year, and spend a bit of time birding somewhere warm. While I always strongly encourage counts in our own snowy Canadian backyards, don’t forget that you can participate anywhere in the world. Last year, I did my count in Florida’s Corkscrew Swamp, and had a fantastic day.”To learn more about how to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, visit
birdcount.org. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the
National Audubon Society with partner
Bird Studies Canada and is made possible in part by founding sponsor
Wild Birds Unlimited.
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Backyard Activities, Family Time, Nature Activities | Tagged: Backyard Activities, Backyard Bird Count, Backyard Birds, bird watch, bird watching, birding, child, children, family, Family Time, fun, GBBC, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, Great Backyard Bird Count, kids, nature, Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Audubon Society, Places to Go, Wild Birds Unlimited | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
January 26, 2014
Kids can count the birds in the backyard! The Great Backyard Bird Count is to be held February 14–17, 2014. Anyone anywhere in the world can count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at www.BirdCount.org. This would be a great classroom or family activity! Here is an instructional video all about what you would need to do from the website of the GBBC (Great Backyard Bird Count). Here’s How to Participate. Here’s GBBC for Kids!
News Release:
January 16, 2014
New York, New York
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, bird watchers from more than 100 countries are expected to participate in the 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), February 14–17, 2014. Anyone anywhere in the world can count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at http://www.BirdCount.org. The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track the health of bird populations at a scale that would not otherwise be possible. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.
“People who care about birds can change the world,” said Audubon chief scientist Gary Langham. “Technology has made it possible for people everywhere to unite around a shared love of birds and a commitment to protecting them.”
In North America, GBBC participants will add their data to help define the magnitude of a dramatic irruption of magnificent Snowy Owls. Bird watchers will also be on the lookout for the invasive Eurasian Collared-Dove to see if it has expanded its range again. GBBC observations may help show whether or not numbers of American Crows will continue to rebound after being hit hard by the West Nile virus and whether more insect-eating species are showing up in new areas, possibly because of changing climate.
Last year’s Great Backyard Bird Count shattered records after going global for the first time, thanks to integration with the eBird online checklist program launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab and Audubon. Participants reported their bird sightings from all 7 continents, including 111 countries and independent territories. More than 34.5 million birds and 3,610 species were recorded—nearly one-third of the world’s total bird species documented in just four days.
“This is a milestone for citizen science in so many respects—number of species, diversity of countries involved, total participants, and number of individual birds recorded. We hope this is just the start of something far larger, engaging the whole world in creating a detailed annual snapshot of how all our planet’s birds are faring as the years go by,” said Cornell Lab director Dr. John Fitzpatrick.
“Canadian participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count has increased tremendously in recent years, and it’s wonderful to see this program growing globally,” said Bird Studies Canada President Dr. George Finney. “The count is introducing unprecedented numbers of people to the exciting field of bird watching.”
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and make a difference for birds. It’s free and easy. To learn more about how to join the count visit http://www.birdcount.org and view the winning photos from the 2013 GBBC photo contest.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.
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Grandpa Ron and I have a Red-tailed Hawk, Harris Hawk and Northern Harrier that like to visit for dinner. They perch on the wall outside a window. I captured 2 pictures of the Harris Hawk before he had enough of me and flew off.
… and we always have quail, unless they are hiding…
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
1 Comment | Backyard Activities, Family Time, Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Audubon Society, Backyard Bird Count, Backyard Birds, bird watch, bird watching, birding, child, children, family, fun, GBBC, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, Great Backyard Bird Count, kids, nature, Places to Go, Wild Birds Unlimited | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
February 4, 2012
Tomorrow, Feb 5, 2012 at 10 AM, the Portland Children’s Museum‘s newest traveling exhibit, The Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit from Reggio Emilia, Italy, will be open to the public. Those of you who know me well also know that I’m big on education and languages. This exhibit captured my interest immediately! Do click on the link to explore the thought behind the new, more museum-traditional (hands-off) type of exhibit, along with concepts, questions and answers.
“Exploring education through multi-media galleries that speak to how young children imagine, invent and create, this exhibit expands the potential to support creative thinking and collaboration in our schools and communities.”
Viewing The Wonder of Learning exhibit is included in your Museum admission price as well as all membership levels. Guests who ONLY wish to view The Wonder of Learning exhibit may do so free of charge by checking in with Guest Services. Guests who wish to visit The Wonder of Learning exhibit AND the rest of the Museum must purchase admission.
The Portland Children’s Museum newsletter also mentioned that they have partnered with Red Tricycle Portland to feature local giveaways, news, and family fun! Red Tricycle Portland is a great resource for those of you in the Portland, Oregon, area for fun activities to do with your children or grandchildren! Red Tricycle provides Portland parents with five fresh picks a week for fun things to see, eat, and do with your kids in your neighborhood. On the website you can sign up for a free email newsletter.
Red Tricycle also has pages for Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Check out my other blogs about things to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
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Posted by mygrandmasue
October 22, 2011
Grandpa Ron and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary all weekend long by revisiting places we went just before our wedding. On Sunday, 10/09/11, we went through the Aquarium of the Pacific. My favorite exhibit is the one containing the Leafy Seadragons. Here are a few photos:
After we finished touring the aquarium we boarded one of their Blue Whale Watching Tours. It was great! We saw many whales – mainly blues but a few others. The trip was great! The aquarium docent was excellent and I think everyone had a great time trying to spot whales first! Here are a few of our photos!
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
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Posted by mygrandmasue
October 22, 2011
The Los Angeles Zoo will open their new Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel to the pubic on October 27, 2011. Jerry Moss (A&M Records cofounder) and his wife Ann Moss are the carousel’s major donors. Here are some LA Times Carousel Photos. There are some common animals as well as the endangered ones – and a unicorn! All the animals have friendly faces on purpose. Some have funny stories about their inclusion – like the skunk because there are so many of them “freeloading” at the zoo. If you are looking for something-not-so-scary for the family to enjoy around this Halloween or any time, check out the new carousel from Oct 27 on!
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
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Posted by mygrandmasue
October 3, 2011
When we were in the airport last weekend to catch a JetBlue plane to Chicago, a billboard caught my eye. It advertises a joint effort between JetBlue and PBS that has been developed to keep kids reading! You’ll find fun reading activities provided by PBS KIDS® and helpful reading tips for children of all reading levels. Check it out! Let’s Read is the main page. There are many activities on the Activities page. It is well worth your time to find some fun ways to get your children reading more enthusiastically!
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
Leave a Comment » | learning | Tagged: books for kids, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, kids, Learn to Read, prereading activities, preschooler reading activities, Reading Activities, Readng, Routine Activity, teaching reading, teaching reading at home | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
September 17, 2011
Yesterday Grandpa Ron and I planted 4 rose bushes – two of them replaced bushes that died earlier this year and two are in new spots. Got the drip system working for them and gave new drips to the near-by roses as well. Today I planted about 20 daffodil bulbs….only have about a hundred left to go!!!! I only hope the critters leave them alone!! It sure would be more fun if we had Austin to help us! Too bad he lives so far away! Ah, well…. It would have been fun to have him throw the bulbs and then together we’d plant them where they landed…
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! 🙂
Leave a Comment » | Backyard Activities, Family Time | Tagged: child, children, family, fun, gardening with kids, grandchild, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, kids, planting bulbs, Planting Daffodills | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
August 28, 2011
Grandpa Ron and I have been traveling every weekend for almost two months! I hope it won’t be so long between posts from now on, but I’m not sure if the traveling is going to settle down soon or not! We experienced first-hand a wonderful family place for those of you in the Madison, Wisconsin area.
We discovered a fun and FREE zoo when we were in Madison two weekends ago for my niece’s wedding. It is called the Henry Vilas Zoo. We got some great pictures!
For the 5k/10k runners and walkers reading this – on Sunday, September 25th at 10 am, the 6th annual Zoo Run Run (a 5k/10k walk and run) will take place past the zoo and through the beautiful Vilas neighborhood.
Here are some videos on the zoo website. The first one is a tour of the zoo.
I’ll post some more photos below.
Seems like the polar bear is saying, ” I forget… Do I even like carrots?”
The promise of another train ride is what prompted us to visit the zoo. However, in our usual fashion, by the time we meandered around the zoo and found the train, the train was already being put to bed for the night. Oh, well, maybe we’ll get another chance some other day! This is a beautiful zoo and a wonderful outing for the famly!
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
Leave a Comment » | Family Time, Places to Explore | Tagged: baby, child, children, family, family outing, fun, giraffes sparring, grandchild, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, Henry Vilas Zoo, kids, Leo Pold, Madison, Madison Zoo, Places to Go, train ride, zoo, Zoo Run Run | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
August 2, 2011
Six brand new, quail-egg-sized baby quail huddled very close together under the bush last weekend. These individual babies are almost impossible to distinguish from the bark shavings and dirt and each other. Do you see them? Once you see the heads in the one picture, if you go back to the other pictures, you can tell head markings from wings and backs. Have some fun! Then there are a few pictures of older babies and their parents.
Here are some of my previous quail photo blogs.
Check out ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
Quail Babies Huddled Together
Quail Babies
Baby Quail with Open Eyes
Baby Quail Copies Adult
Hello!
13 Baby Quail, Mom and Dad AND Rabbit
Leave a Comment » | Backyard Activities, Nature Activities | Tagged: baby quail, Backyard Birds, bird watch, bird watching, birding, California Quail, child, children, family, fun, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, kids, nature, Places to Go, quail, quail babies, quail baby | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 30, 2011
You are in for a treat if you haven’t done this before — you should check out the the Washington DC fireworks on PBS Television on the Fourth of July! The last two years were just AWESOME!! PBS TV runs the program live and then re-runs it again for those who missed it! Here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/
You can find out what station and time will have the PBS show by clicking here: http://www.pbs.org/tv_schedules/
If you are lucky enough to be physically in the neighborhood, here is an article about the best places to see them: gosoutheast.about.com
Here is a great explanation of how fireworks work:
https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/ever-wonder-how-fireworks-work/
Check out other ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!
🙂
Leave a Comment » | Family Time, Special Moments | Tagged: 4th of July, A Capitol Fourth, child, children, family, Firework Display, fireworks, Fourth of July, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, granddaughter, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, grandson, kids, Places to Go, Washington DC, Washington DC Firework Display, Washington DC Fireworks | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 