Getting children interested in bird watching

George Walter

Photo by Jill Severn

In a recent column, I mentioned seeing 200-plus children out at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge with their families. Later I received essentially the same question from two readers: “How can I get my kids interested in bird watching?”

That question put my mind back to years when my 23-year-old son, Aaron, was young. Or for that matter, back to my youth when my grandmother introduced me to birds by having me sit on her lap in her big comfortable chair looking at the birds visiting her feeder outside.

To answer the question, I am imagining a grandparent and grandchild, but these suggestions are good for anyone and any age. And, of course, what works for little children won’t be on target for older ones, and certainly not for teenagers.

Children's bird interest books

Photo by George Walter

Getting youngsters involved in bird watching flows naturally from getting them interested in nature and the out-of-doors. So, suggestion No. 1 is go outside often. Anything will do, even a walk around the neighborhood. But, better yet, is a visit to our Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Bookshelf at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Photo by George Walter

Why? Because the staff and volunteers there are ready to help you. One of their most important missions is to expose youths, including teenagers, to everything about nature and the refuge.

Simply go to the visitor center, which is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and look around and ask for their advice. And be sure to check out the 3D tabletop map of the Nisqually watershed and the other interpretative displays.

For children nine and under, there is a Junior Refuge Manager program that includes a pamphlet and map that guides children, with their parental assistance, on what to see and hear at the refuge. Those who complete the program get a certificate and badge.

The visitor center is also a good place to look for age-appropriate nature and bird books. When I was young, nature books were rare. I loved my well-worn copy of "Little Pond in the Woods." One of its characters was a Cedar Waxwing, another start to my fascination with birds.

Little Pond in the Woods

Photo by George Walter

The visitors center store, or any good bookstore, will have an abundant supply of bird book possibilities, including kid-friendly bird identification guides. If choosing an appropriate book is a challenge, there is staff advice close at hand.  

The visitor center also has binoculars and bird books to loan for the day. You can try out binoculars and bird books before actually investing in them.

The refuge also has a separate educational facility oriented toward youths. It is used primarily by school groups but may be open on weekends and sometimes hosts other youth groups.

Even if you never set foot inside a building, there are many learning opportunities. The refuge has abundant interpretive signs with interesting images and pictures that most kids like. But the best teacher is the natural world along every trail.

Ultimately, your goal for your child or grandchild is to stimulate curiosity and the best way to do that is to show your own. So, as you are walking, at the refuge or anywhere outdoors, wonder out loud about what you’re seeing or hearing, about birds, or nature in general.

Ask questions like, “What do you suppose all those geese are doing?” Or, “I wonder if there are turtles in that pond.” And be sure to allow children to make their own discoveries to show you!

The coming of spring (soon!) offers a great opportunity to encourage kids and adults alike to pay attention to the changes occurring in nature. As you are walking, simply look for signs of spring and take note of what you see or hear.

Later in spring there will be blooming flowers. I used to carry a 2-year-old Aaron around the yard to admire and count the different colors of spring blooms.

For many kids, the worst thing is to do too much. Especially for younger children, overstimulation and complication can cause meltdowns. Best to keep it simple, but to get out fairly often

For instance, I would suggest choosing one type of bird to start with. The American Robin would be a good choice. First, learn its name, note its orange breast, and the fact that it hops around rather than walking. Can you do that? Can your child or grandchild? That would be pretty fun. And fun and curiosity are close cousins.

American Robin eyeing winter food

Photo by Liam Hutcheson

And this is how it starts, promoting a lifetime of curiosity one robin at a time.

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 17-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.