Youth Birder
Events throughout Freeport and surrounding areas!
Beginning Birder Club
Third Saturday of the Month – September 2024 through April 2025
10:30 to 12:00 p.m.
Led by Juliet Moderow
Registration required – Contact us at [email protected] to register or get on the waitlist for the program.
Freeport Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
100 E Douglas St, Freeport, IL 61032
This will be a fun, educational program for youths to learn about different topics about birds. Lessons will be tailored for ages 6-10, but younger/older children are welcome. An adult must be present during the entire program. All sessions are independent from each other, so you are welcome to attend any that you are able.
Each program will be held at 10:30 am to approximately 12:00 pm on the third Saturday of the month. Sessions will be held at the Freeport Public Library in the Youth Services Program Room, but we will try to end the session outside to look for birds. Please dress appropriately for the weather as well.
Topics:
September 21, 2024
What makes a bird a bird?
We will learn about the unique characteristics of a bird.
October 19, 2024
Finding and naming birds
We will learn about habitats where birds can be found and how to identify local birds that can be found in the area.
November 16, 2024
Bird tools
We will learn about the natural tools that birds use (beaks and feet), especially when it comes to feeding.
December 21, 2024
Bird movement
We will learn more about feathers, how birds fly, why some birds migrate and others do not.
January 18,2025
Birds of prey
We will learn about birds of prey and do an owl pellet dissection.
February 15, 2025
Bird reproduction
We will learn about bird reproduction, egg laying, nest building, etc.
March 15,2025
Bird banter
We will learn about how birds sing and learn songs/calls of common birds in the area.
April 19, 2025
Bird conservation & Being a birder
We will learn about how to protect birds and how to be a birder!
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Barn Swallow
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Swallows are a group of birds known for their small beaks that are suitable for catching insects in flight. Swallows are fun to watch as they glide quickly through the air, gobbling up many insects. The Barn Swallow is the most abundant and widely distributed swallow species throughout the world. Because they are insect eaters, they must migrate to warmer areas when winter approaches, such as South and Central America to maintain their food supply. They will return north to breed.
They are iridescent blue on the upper side of the body and orange-brown on the underside of the body. They are unique from the other swallow species with their deeply forked tail. They also fly lower than other swallows when foraging for prey. They can fly so low to the water that they can contact the water and even take a drink.
As the name suggests, they are often found in barn areas, but also found in many other habitats like open fields, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats. For breeding, they require open areas and human-made structures, such as eaves, rafters, barn supports, and bridges for building their nests. Both males and females collect mud, mix it with grass, and build a cup nest together that is about 3 inches across and 2 inches deep. They may often reuse the nests after cleaning out old feathers and adding new mud.
While Barn Swallows are not likely to visit your bird feeder, you can go visit them in their common habitats. Enjoy their fast and aerodynamic flights and try to identify them if you can! To help swallow populations, learn about the effect of pesticides on the food web. They require insects for their diets, so killing insects will harm insectivores. Additionally, if you fish, discard of fishing line properly so birds do not get tangled in the lines.
* Thanks to allaboutbirds.org.
Many of these books can be found on PrairieCat; many are available for as little as 1 cent or 99 cents from booksellers on Amazon (with $3.99 for postage and handling).
Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire
Information on all the Freeport parks
More than books on a shelf…visit the Freeport Public Library
Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County
(The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families
Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail
Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots
A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources
to tell the story of our changing planet through the eyes of NASA missions studying Earth and provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging for children
provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home
Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine
Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods
Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Located near Rockford, IL.
The program’s goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.
Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!
