Education l Interactive Activity Environment for the Americas Conserving Birds by Connecting People Helping at Home Overview Participants learn about hazards to birds and simple solutions for creating a home environment safer for birds. Objectives Identify solutions to prevent bird hazards at home. Recommended Ages > Families > Children in upper elementary and above Activity Time Approximately 10 minutes Materials > View the directions for each display for a list of suggested materials. Activity in Action Send us your pictures and comments on this activity to bday@birdday.org. It is important to offer participants ways that they can help birds at home. This activity demonstrates not only the hazards birds face, but also some solutions. At the table, display a variety of items that may be harmful to birds and possible solutions. Some suggestions on how people may help at home are described below. Activity Directions 1. Read and choose from the list of Helping at Home display ideas provided: Window Collisions Cats and Dogs Dirty Bird Feeders Non-native Pest Plants Chemicals at Home 2. Choose from the suggested display items and public participation options for each display choice you make. Get Involved! Discover easy, fun ways to learn and connect with others while spreading bird conservation awareness Have you registered your WMBD event? It s quick, easy, free, and an important way to measure WMBD success each year.
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity Prevent Window Collisions at Home An estimated 300 million to 1 billion birds die each year from collisions with glass on buildings, from skyscrapers to homes. Consider that one of every two window strikes may result in the death of a bird. We can help at home by taking actions to prevent this from happening. Display Directions 1. Find a window(s) for this display. Demonstrate that windows are easy to see through and/or they may show reflections of surrounding trees and grass. Birds don t see or recognize the glass and may fly into it. Research has shown that birds will avoid windows if visible patterns are applied to the OUTSIDE of windows. 2. Print bird collision and patterned window pictures for your display. Find pictures attached with this activity. 3. Choose from the options below to demonstrate easy, affordable options to break-up reflections on windows. Tempera paint Tape (try duct tape) Patterned window film Light weight netting Decals (make your own with the silhouette below or use Arti Stick Window Color) 4. Using your chosen medium, apply a pattern to a demonstration window. Follow these pattern guidelines: Apply one-quarter inch wide, white vertical stripes spaced four inches apart, or Apply one-eight-inch black horizontal stripes placed one inch apart. 5. Options for public participation: Have a another display window on which visitors can help create a pattern. Make copies of the bird silhouette provided with this activity for visitors to make and take home. Pass out copies of the Taking it Home to visitors so they can do their own window patterns at home. Optional Picture for A Display Photo by Daniel Lebbin, American Bird Conservancy
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity Taking It Home - Prevent Window Collisions - 1. Check to see which of your windows is most reflective, and closest to areas where you see birds. Not all windows are hazardous. 2. Choose a medium to make a pattern. Tempera paint Tape (try duct tape) Patterned window film (Visit: www.lfdcollidescape.com, www.thesunsheildpros.com) Lightweight netting Decals or silhouettes. (Try pre-made www.windowdressingetc.com or make your own with Arti Stick Window Color) 3. Apply a pattern to your window(s) following one of these methods. Make 1/4 inch wide, white vertical stripes spaced 4 inches apart. Make 1/8 inch wide, black horizontal stripes placed 2 inches apart. Use a pattern or images of your choice keeping vertical patterns 4 inches apart and horizontal patter 2 inches apart. 4. Learn more: American Bird Conservancy - http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/collisions/glass.html Environment for the Americas - http://www.birdday.org/birdday/themes/2005 Taking It Home - Prevent Window Collisions 1. Check to see which of your windows is most reflective, and closest to areas where you see birds. Not all windows are hazardous. 2. Choose a medium to make a pattern. Tempera paint Tape (try duct tape) Patterned window film (Visit: www.lfdcollidescape.com, www.thesunsheildpros.com) Lightweight netting Decals or silhouettes. (Try pre-made www.windowdressingetc.com or make your own with Arti Stick Window Color) 3. Apply a pattern to your window(s) following one of these methods. Make 1/4 inch wide, white vertical stripes spaced 4 inches apart. Make 1/8 inch wide, black horizontal stripes placed 2 inches apart. Use a pattern or images of your choice keeping vertical patterns 4 inches apart and horizontal patter 2 inches apart. 4. Learn more: American Bird Conservancy - http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/collisions/glass.html Environment for the Americas - http://www.birdday.org/birdday/themes/2005
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity Place horizontal stripes 2 inches apart to keep birds from flying into your windows. Photo By Christine Shepard American Bird Conservancy Collisions Campaign Manager, www..abcbirds.org Make fun patterns on your windows. Horizontal patterns must be 2 inches apart; vertical patterns must be 4 inches apart. Photo By Christine Shepard American Bird Conservancy Collisions Campaign Manager www..abcbirds.org
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity Place vertical stripes 4 inches apart to keep birds from flying into your windows. Photo By Christine Shepard, American Bird Conservancy Collisions Campaign Manager www..abcbirds.org Silhouettes need to be placed 4 inches or less apart to keep birds from running into your windows. American Bird Conservancy Collisions Campaign www.abcbirds.org
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity Instructions for Making Window Silhouettes Trace the bird silhouette pattern on black, light weight plastic (or construction paper that can be laminated after it is cut out). Make enough silhouettes that they may be placed on the OUTSIDE of the window, 4 inches apart, to break up any window reflection.
Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity
Helping at Home - Cats & Dogs Education l Interactive Activity Help Keep Birds Safe from Cats and Dogs Domestic cats kill hundreds of millions of birds each year. Studies show that neither declawing cats nor putting bells on collars is sufficient to prevent them from killing birds. Dogs chase wildlife, though no estimates are available on the extent of damage free-roaming dogs may cause. Birds that nest and forage on the ground are most at risk. Pets who roam free are at increase risk to disease, attacks by wild animals, car strikes, and becoming lost, stolen, or poisoned. We can help at home by keeping our pets inside or safely controlled in our yards or on leashes. Make a Display Directions 1. Print the pictures of the cat and dog provided below.. 2. Build or ask a local vendor to display a kitty retreat. Print the picture below for your display. 3. For your display, print these solutions: Keep cats indoors or in kitty retreats. Walk dogs on leash, especially when at the beach and on trails. 4. Provide information. The American Bird Conservancy has many excellent fact sheets on the subject. You might consider providing one or more for visitors to take home. Visit www.abcbirds.org. Fact sheet Options: Cats, Birds, and You Domestic Cat Predation on Birds and Other Wildlife The Great Outdoors is No Place for Cats How to Make Your Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat What to do About Your Neighbor s Cat in Your Yard
Helping at Home - Cats & Dogs Education l Interactive Activity Optional Pictures for a Display Protect ground nesting birds by keeping your dogs on a leash.
Helping at Home - Cats & Dogs Education l Interactive Activity Optional Picture for a Display Cat enclosures keep cats and birds safe! Picture from C & D Pet Products www.cdpets.com
Helping at Home - Dirty Bird Feeders Education l Interactive Activity Keeping Your Feeders Clean Dirty feeders may help to spread diseases. Because birds congregate at feeders, diseases may spread easily and quickly. We can help at home by keeping our feeders clean. Display Directions 1. Display a variety of dirty and clean feeders.. 2. Provide a take home cleaning solution.. Bird Feeder Cleaning Solution If you feed birds, make a commitment to clean your feeders regularly. Mix one-part liquid chlorine household bleach in nine parts tepid water. Immerse your feeders in the solution completely for 2 to 3 minutes, then air dry. In the Spring and Summer, feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 4 weeks or sooner if the weather is especially wet. 3. Other display ideas: Sell or give away bottle brush cleaners. Baby bottle brush cleaners work well. Attach to each brush handle Clean Feeders = Healthy Birds. Sell or give away tiny hummingbird feeder port brush cleaners that are often hard to find. Search on the Internet for Droll Yankees Perfect Little Brush. If you have the proper set-up (easy access to clean water), invite event participants to bring their feeders for free cleaning! This could be a creative fundraiser. 4. Make-N-Take Bird Feeder This simple to make feeder can be recycled with your paper when the feeder becomes too dirty or starts to fall apart. Directions: Empty 1/2 gallon milk cartons, then cut away two adjoining sides of a carton, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom. You will have 2 solid sides (see Feeder A.) Another plan is to cut windows in all 4 sides of the carton, again leaving about 2 inches at the bottom (see Feeder B). Next punch 2 holes in the top of the carton. Thread some strong string through the holes and tie it, making a loop for hanging. Now you can put the feeder wherever you want. Both of these designs may also be used as bird baths. Feeder by Alice J. Turner from the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, www.npwrc.usgs.gov.
Helping at Home - Pest Plants Education l Interactive Activity Native vs. Non-native Pest Plants Invasive non-native plants spread rapidly, out-competing native plants for space, light, water, and nutrients. When native plants are crowded out, the animals that relied on them will go elsewhere or disappear and the delicate web of life will be disrupted. We can help at home by controlling pest plants on our property and planting native plants. Display Directions 1. Display noxious weeds of your area. Contact your state or local native plant or pest plant club to do a display. These folks have valuable information about noxious weeds in your state. Visit these website to learn more: List of noxious weeds by state http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousdriver List of fact sheets http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/factsheets.shtml List of the Exotic Pest Plant Councils by State http://www.naeppc.org/ 2. Display native plants that are attractive to wildlife. Ask your regional or local native plant club to arrange and manage the display. 3. Helping at Home: Print these suggested sentences for your display. For your convenience they are printed on the next page.-- Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs in your yard. Native plants attract native wildlife. Control pest plants on your property. Pest plants cost more in time and money to control. 4. Taking it Home Consider providing visitors a list of noxious plants for your area and/or state. Consider providing visitors a list of native plants that do well in your area. Use the IMBD journal to help kids explore and take notes about the benefits of native plants to wildlife.
Helping at Home - Pest Plants Education l Interactive Activity Non-native Pest Plant Display Print these suggested sentences for your display. Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs in your yard. Native plants attract native wildlife. Control pest plants on your property. Pest plants cost more in time and money to control.
Helping at Home - Chemicals at Home Education l Interactive Activity Reducing the Use of Chemicals at Home The alarm sounded by Rachael Carson s book Silent Spring opened our eyes to the dangers of chemicals in our environment. Research estimates that almost 70 million birds die from exposure to pesticides each year. Chemicals may also impact their reproduction and behavior. We can help at home by using alternatives to chemicals. You can make or purchase them. We can also help at home by disposing of home chemicals properly. Many areas have annual disposal times for hazardous products. Display Directions 1. Display lawn and household pesticides, herbicides, and cleaners. Be sure the containers are well sealed. 2. Display alternative cleaners, and a sink and/or window. Demonstrate how well the cleaners work and/or allow visitors to try out the cleaners. 3. Consider asking a local club or person to talk about, sell, or demonstrate how to make homemade cleaners. 4. Consider asking a local authority to come and talk about proper disposal of chemicals. Or find out when and what chemicals are disposed of by your town and print flyers for visitors. 5. Make copies of green cleaner recipes for visitors to take home. Earth friendly cleaner recipes are adapted with permission from the Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth.
Helping at Home - Chemicals at Home Education l Interactive Activity Earth Friendly Cleaners (Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth) Pest Spray for Plants Ingredients Directions 1 clove of garlic Chop garlic and onion mix with black pepper 1 small onion and cayenne pepper in water. 1 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp cayenne pepper Let stand for an hour, then add liquid soap. 1 qt. of water 1 tsp liquid soap Strain into a spray bottle. 1 spray bottle Warning: Although these ingredients are natural, they can still be dangerous. Use with care. Drain Cleanser Ingredients Baking soda White vinegar Directions To make an Earth-friendly drain cleanser, mix equal amounts of baking soda and warm, white vinegar. Be careful--it will foam! Pour down drain and let it stand for 15 minutes. Then flush the drain with boiling water. Adult supervisions is required.
Helping at Home - Chemicals at Home Education l Interactive Activity Earth Friendly Cleaners (Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth) Glass Cleaner Ingredients Directions 1 cup vinegar To make a great glass cleaner, mix one part 8 cups water vinegar with 8 parts water and put it in a 1 spray bottle reusable spray bottle. Spray windows and wipe dry with a reusable rag. Bathroom Cleaner Ingredients Baking soda Sponge Directions Use baking soda instead of powdered cleansers to clean toilets and sinks.