helping at home1 · 2018-06-25 · helping at home - window collisions education l interactive...

OverviewParticipants learn about hazards to birds and simple solutions for creating a home environment safer for birds.

ObjectivesIdentify solutions to prevent bird hazards at home.

Recommended Ages> Families

> Children in upper elementary and above

Activity TimeApproximately 10 minutes

Materials> View the directions for each display for a list of suggested materials.

Activity in ActionSend us your pictures and comments on this activity to [email protected].

It is important to offer participants ways that they can help birds at home. This activity demon-strates 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 dis-play 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.

Find free educational materials (and much more) at environmentamericas.org

Environment for the Americas • 2129 13th Street, Suite I • Boulder, Colorado 80302 • T: 866-334-3330 • E: [email protected] • BirdDay.org

Helping at Home

Have you registered your WMBD event? It’s quick, easy, free, and an important way to measure WMBD success each year.

Get Involved! Discover easy, fun ways to learn and connect with others while spreading bird conservation awareness

Environment for the AmericasConserving Birds by Connecting People

Education l Interactive Activity

Helping at Home - Window Collisions Education l Interactive Activity

EFTA Conserving Birds by Connecting People Find free educational materials (and much more) at environmentamericas.org



Prevent Window Collisions at HomeAn estimated 300 million to 1 billion birds die each year from collisions with glass on buildings, from sky-scrapers 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 Directions1. 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

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Photo by Daniel Lebbin, American Bird Conservancy

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

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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

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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 ShepardAmerican Bird Conservancy

Collisions Campaign Manager

www..abcbirds.org

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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





Instructions for Making Window SilhouettesTrace the bird silhouette pattern on black, light weight plastic (or construction paper that can be laminated af-ter 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 - Cats & Dogs Education l Interactive Activity




Help Keep Birds Safe from Cats and DogsDomestic 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 ani-mals, 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

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Protect ground nesting birds by keeping your dogs on a leash.

Optional Pictures for a Display

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Cat enclosures keep cats and birds safe!Picture from C & D Pet Products

www.cdpets.com

Optional Picture for a Display

Helping at Home - Dirty Bird Feeders Education l Interactive Activity




Keeping Your Feeders CleanDirty 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 Directions1. Display a variety of dirty and clean feeders. .

2. Provide a take home cleaning solution..

Bird Feeder Cleaning SolutionIf you feed birds, make a commitment to clean your feeders regularly. Mix one-part liquid chlorine house-hold 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 Inter-

net 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 FeederThis 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 leav-ing 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, mak-ing 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 PlantsInvasive non-native plants spread rapidly, out-competing native plants for space, light, water, and nutri-ents. 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 Directions1. 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 DisplayPrint 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 HomeThe 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 alterna-tives 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 Directions1. 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.





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 pepper1 small onion and cayenne pepper in water.1 tsp black pepper1 tbsp cayenne pepper Let stand for an hour, then add liquid soap.1 qt. of water1 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 DirectionsBaking soda To make an Earth-friendly drain cleanser, mix

White vinegar 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.





Earth Friendly Cleaners(Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth)

Glass Cleaner


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


Baking soda Use baking soda instead of powdered Sponge cleansers to clean toilets and sinks.

helping at home1 · 2018-06-25 · helping at home - window collisions education l interactive...

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