Nests
I have had birds and nests all around me lately. Here are my experiences just from the last week!
Swooping Masked Lapwings, protecting their 2 chicks, are currently preventing our NaturePlay groups from meeting in our regular site. (We didn’t notice the nest nor the parents sitting on the eggs, it is only now that the chicks have hatched that the parents are behaving protectively).
a small nest blew on to my front porch after a windy night
I revisited a State Park this week where my kids had played in a large nest (built by them and their friends) about 6 years ago….only to discover that big nests are still there! I can only imagine how many children have played “nests” in this site in this time.
When searching for suitable sites for our Nature Play sessions, I came across a squawking Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo as it dove into a hollow of a gum tree. The hollow was quite high, and I am not one to disturb a bird in a tree, but this behaviour indicates a nest is in that hollow. (I’ll keep an eye on it over the next few weeks).
And these are just the bird’s nests!
Here are 3 ideas to inspire you and your family to play with nests;
Going on a “nest” hunt.
How many of you have the book “We’re going on a bear hunt” by Michael Rosen in your library? If your kids love to march outdoors to the tune of this song, or to the rhythm of these words, you could shift it up and head out for a nest hunt.
Look up in the trees, in forks of trees, in hollows of trees and also on the ground.
Listen for the sound of the birds around you (this is how I noticed the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo recently). It can be exciting to notice the birds fly in and out, but do keep a safe distance and check in on the hollow regularly to see what you can see.
*CAUTION* - birds are wild animals and should be respected as such. Keep your distance as your behaviour may impact whether a bird remains on its eggs, or whether it keeps feeding its chicks. Some birds are quite sensitive and will abandon a nest if their site is deemed too unsafe for them. So please keep a respectful distance and teach your children the value of observation and discovery without needing to touch or take (the touching bit might be hard, but even very little children can be responsive to a clear guideline.)
Build a nest
Make a big nest with leaves, sticks, bark or branches.
Make it inside or outside!
Use blankets, scarves, wool or anything soft and cosy.
Sit inside and read some stories, have a cuddle or play with some toys.
Make a little nest in a tree, up high in branches or at ground level in a fork.
This can encourage heavy, physical work as well as imaginative play. This play can be wild and physical, or quiet and contemplative…or bits of both…whatever suits your child at the time.
*CAUTION* - if you’re building nests outdoors, moving branches and picking up rocks, do be aware of snakes, spiders and other creatures. Be respectful of the local environment by leaving the space as you found it, by removing any rubbish that you find and by only using branches that have already fallen from trees. It may seem that the dangers are great, thus putting you off! But once in an outdoor space, you can make sense of these risks and then focus on the fun.
Reading books about nests
Small children can be very keen on stories and books that relate to what they have experienced recently. Here are a few suggestions for books about nests, but there are many more.
If you are not already a member of your local library, then this is a great excuse to get down there, sign your child up and borrow some “nests” books.
Choose fiction or non-fiction depending on what you like and what your child is interested in.
Choose books that show a range of perspectives, including First Nations languages and perspectives.
There are lots of options for the full age-range and interests of your family.
Remember that nests are not just for birds! Ants, dinosaurs or turtles also build nests.
Nests come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, incorporating all sorts of materials!
Good luck on your nesting adventures..
