April/May 2015

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Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna

If you do a web search for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (an excellent resource for learning all about birds) and look up the Eastern Meadowlark, you will read that “...sweet, lazy whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks waft over summer grasslands and farms in eastern North America. The birds themselves sing from fenceposts and telephone lines or stalk through the grasses probing the ground for insects with their long sharp bills. On the ground, their brown-and-black dappled upperparts camouflage the birds among dirt clods and dry grasses. But up on perches, they reveal bright-yellow underparts and a striking black chevron across the chest.”

Here are some fun facts about the Eastern Meadowlark:

• An Eastern Meadowlark male can sing several different variations of its song. In New York, the songs from one male were analyzed using spectrograms (this would be a good word to look up); the bird sang more than 100 different patterns of song. Do you know 100 songs?
• Eastern Meadowlarks eat mostly insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and grubs. During winter they also eat weed seeds, spilled corn and wild fruits, but they don’t eat sprouting grain.
• They get their food by walking on the ground and probing with their bill. First they push their closed bill into the ground and then open their mandibles (what’s that?) to disturb the dirt and expose some grubs and worms – a common trick for members of the blackbird family.
• The female builds the nest all by herself, taking 4 to 8 days. She weaves a nest out of dead grasses, plant stems, and strips of bark.

Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire

Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks

Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library

Freeport Outdoor Experience Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County

Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families

Jane Addams Recreation Trail 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

NASA Climate Kids 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

National Audubon for Kids provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home

National Wildlife Federation 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.

Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.

Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.

World Migratory Bird Day Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!