Bird Watching With Kids

at the grocery store. But what are you really paying for? Much of those foods are have filler seeds (up to 2/3 or more!) that birds will not eat. Hanging up a suet feeder will attract different varieties of birds. Suet is especially helpful for them during cold weather months where they need high amounts of protein.

Here are some tips and ideas to encourage kid’s natural interest in birds and nature.

Building and/or painting a bird feeder with your child can be the perfect first step. You’ll attract more birds to your backyard with your amazing bird feeders!

Remind kids that birds are hard to spot, but easy to hear. Have them close their eyes and listen.

This classic pastime can be appreciated without anything more than your eyes and ears, but a pair of binoculars, a guidebook, a camera, and a sketch pad and pencils can enhance bird watching for kids. It is also a good idea to pack a bag with snacks, water, sunscreen, and first-aid items when venturing out for a birding session at a nature preserve. Be sure to instruct new birders not to interfere with birds or nests.

Bird watching becomes more fun when kids recognize and can name the birds they see. One fun way to learn different bird species is Bird Bingo - a fun game that teaches kids to identify sixty-four species of birds from around the world. Or get a Bird matching card game, which is a favorite that’s fun for all ages.

Our modern world encourages constant multi-tasking, but it’s important for growing brains to stop and recharge. The stillness of bird watching is less of a skill and more of an opportunity to pause and take it all in. You and your family might be surprised at the things you discover besides birds!

Bird watching is a hobby that can be enjoyed at any age. By fostering an appreciation for nature in your children, you are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.

While out on a walk in Denver when visiting my son’s family, I noticed a milk box on a porch and assumed it was vintage décor, until I saw several others throughout the neighborhood, which piqued my interest.

Many of the milk boxes bore the royal blue, Royal Crest Dairy logo. However, there are other Denver area dairies also offering home delivery. Residents sim- ply set up an account and then choose milk and other grocery necessities such as juices, eggs, bread, yogurt and more that they want delivered. Products are delivered overnight to their porch boxes by 7am the next morning. Now that’s what I call farm to table!

The milk is pasteurized and homogenized and free of antibiotics and pesticides and the cost is $6.99 a gallon.

The need for milk delivery in the U.S. began with industrialization. People moving to urban areas had no space for a family cow and began buying their milk from farmers, which created the need for a milkman. Some homes even had built-in milk chutes. Due to the lack of refrigeration, it was necessary for milk to be delivered daily.

The rise in home refrigeration, car ownership, pasteurization and the increase of grocery and convenience stores, reduced the need for the milkman.

Porch delivery in some areas, like Denver, is experiencing resurgence. Consumers who are interested in sustainable living, supporting local, convenience and freshness are embracing home dairy delivery.

At one time, many well-known local dairies such as: Cool Farm, Lockshore and Tarnow dairies offered local delivery, but it’s no longer available in this area. However, you can purchase farm fresh milk at Mooville Creamery in Nashville, Ionia, Zeeland or Eaton Rapids, MI, or visit their website for local retailers.

Jackie Merriam

Sources: Thedairyalliance.com, Wikipedia.