Florida is host to many “feathered” winter residents as they either winter here, breed, or make a happy Florida feeding rest stop on their way to even more southern destinations like South America!
Look for many types of nests as a clue to who lives in the neighborhood! Look up ground, platform, floating platform, the traditional “cup” nest, pendulous nests, cavity nests and “no” nesters who use other nests (and the sitting birds) to hatch their eggs!
There are givers and takers in nature, too....only birds tolerate it differently! Birds offer great teaching points and learning opportunities for the family and the planet!
Sun screen, bug spray, hat, binoculars, water, (maybe a picnic lunch, some homemade cookies cut into bird shapes), walking shoes, a pen and notebook to keep records of your findings and of course a camera. Now that you look peculiar....take to the birding trails.
BIRDS THAT ARE MOSTLY BLUE IN COLOR:
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER is here year round; (some northern gnatcatchers winter here) about 4 inches long, makes a cup nest, pale blue eggs with dark markings; eats insects, seen in open woodlands, near forests or heavily wooded natural tree stands.
Other blue birds you can see soon:
Indigo bunting: migrating through central Florida; winters south Florida;
Eastern Bluebird: year round in central Florida;
Florida Scrub Jay: year round in central Florida;
Blue Jay: year round in central Florida;
Belted Kingfisher: (winter)
Little Blue Heron: year round in central Florida;
Tri-colored Heron: year round in central Florida;
BIRDING CRAFT PROJECT
CREATE A BIRD FRIENDLY BACK YARD
#1....weekend project: make a bird feeder (email us for plans), or buy one in a big box store; great project for adults and with the kids.
#2....family night out for an ice cream cone and Tractor Supply shopping!
#3.....purchase a package of premade “insect” bricks; often other big box stores might sell them with their birding supplies, as well. Your “Gnatcatcher” will love you.
#4....purchase a clay water “saucer”, or bird bath if you want to go all the way;
#5....set the insect brick and water bath in the yard within view from a window. The water bath can be a simple as a large clay pot “saucer”. Wipe it clean and refill it with water every day.......you are ready to graduate from the back yard!
#6...for your first family bird outing trip visit: the Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary on Barnes Blvd in Rockledge; close, convenient, naturally wonderful!
Everyday is a very good habit to teach your children.....discipline, consistency; accountability; reliability; sensitive to others “needs”; and more!
Give the new yard arrangement (and the kids) at least a few weeks to become “acclimated” to the “neighborhood” and routine additions. If the family takes to the activities, there are clubs (Audubon); special birding parks, state maintained; birding events all planned around fresh air, family and planet wholesome activities and nature’s wonders! Check out Space Coast Audubon Society website.
Email us for more ideas; clubs; places to go and birds to see.
Local Space Coast Audubon Society News
Covid of course changed regular meeting agendas. The club used to meet for decades monthly in Rockledge, third Friday 7 PM -9 PM. Google Space Coast Audubon Society and get current schedules and events.