Pete's Blog

Great Backyard Bird Count

You know that I always encourage you to go outside and explore and discover nature.  Now here’s a way for you to join others from around the country and Canada, count your discoveries, and make them count for science.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is going to happen from February 13–16. That’s just a short time away. 
 
To get all the details, you can go to the main page or go directly to the special kids page where they have games, bird id lists, posters, certificates and  all kinds of good stuff.

This count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Here is what they say about the project:

"The Great Backyard Bird Count (or GBBC) is an event that takes place over four days in February each year. It's very easy! All you have to do is watch birds in your yard, a nearby park, or maybe at your school. Then you tell us what you saw by entering your bird list online. We collect that information from people all over the United States and Canada so scientists can learn what kind of birds are being seen in the winter and whether there are more or fewer of them than before."

Here are the numbers from last year:

Total Checklists Submitted: 85,725
Total Species Observed: 635
Total Individual Birds Counted: 9,805,216

That’s a lot of birds!  I wonder how many of them were Pelicans?

I also see a couple of words in this story that some of you may not know: "Ornithology" and "Audubon". Why don’t you look them up and let me know what you find out about them. You can always send me an e-mail at Pelican Perch in care of Pete's Mail Bag.

Until next time, keep exploring and discovering.

New Look

Blogs,Pelican Perch Nature,Collages,Activities.

You’ve probably noticed that I changed the look of my blog. I was having trouble organizing my posts and getting your comments, so I looked around at other blogs and decided this is it. What do you think? Should I continue with this or keep looking?

Drop me a note at  Pelican Perch or by clicking on the “comments” button below and tell me what you think and what you want to see in my blog. Sammy & Bethaney wrote in and said they would like to see some nature activities. I told them about a fun NATURE COLLAGE that you can make using my outline.  

You can have fun making one too. Check out my "Arts & Craft" page to see how it is done.

I'll be back soon with new activities for you.

In the meantime, don't forget, keep exploring and go outside.

 

 

 

Leaf Lids

  DID YOU KNOW?

Native Americans have lived on our continent for over 15,000 years.
In 1565, an armada of conquistadors arrived to the area now known as St. Augustine and discovered the early settlement of Seloy. This coastal village was named after the chief of the Timucua-speaking people living there.
Timucuan houses had thatched roofs made with fronds from the sable palm, Florida’s state tree. The tree is commonly known as the cabbage palm and was also enjoyed as a tasty treat!

GO OUTSIDE!
Gather some sticks and palm fronds or other leaves of plants. Ask an adult which ones you can use, or choose those that have fallen to the ground.
With the sticks, build a miniature village. Roll, shred, and weave the leaves and fronds together to create different types of roofs.
What is the name of your village? Who is the chief? Make a path to visit the neighboring camps!

Here’s my village. Here’s the chief
Here’s my house topped with a leaf,
Now all the people will stay dry
When rain-filled clouds go drifting by.

PELICAN PETE Helping Children and Nature Meet