Every species has a scientific name that is made up of two Latin words. They just so happen to also sound a bit like magic spells! This activity combines bird identification with some fun wizard-like imagination.
Woodlands host a wide range of bird life. You may spot some frequent faces, such as robins or blue tits, but some woodlands are home to some rarer species…
For example, capercaillie, the world’s largest grouse, roams native pine forests in northern Scotland, munching on buds and berries. They are one of our most vulnerable birds, with approx. 500 capercaillie left in the wild!
The capercaillie’s scientific name is Tetrao urogallus!
Let’s use outdoor materials to make a wand and cast some bird spells on your woodland walk…
What you will need:
- Printed spotter sheet (download below!)
- Pencil/pen
- Elastic band
- Stick found outside
- Natural materials (e.g. feathers, leaves, moss)
- Binoculars (optional)
You’ll need imagination too!
How to become a bird wizard:
- Head to your woodland area and search for a stick – this is going to be their magic wand. Wrap an elastic band around the top of the stick (an alterative is double sided tape).
- It’s time to decorate your wand! Collect natural materials and feed them into the band. Things like feathers, leaves, flowers and moss are perfect. Remember to try and collect things from the woodland floor and avoid picking living plants.
- Once you’re happy with your wand (and is is successfully casting spells!), it is time to spot some birds. If you spot one from the spotter sheet, point your wands towards the bird and chant the magic spell for that bird – this is their scientific name (remember, every living species has their own special name). These can be found on the spotter sheet. Perhaps it casts a good luck charm for the bird!
- The key to spotting birds is to be as stealthy and quiet as you can- you don’t want to scare them away! If using binoculars, remember to stop walking before using them to avoid falling.
- Looking to continue to fun indoors? You can print out the bird masks, colour them in and become woodland birds! You’ll need some card, pens, string and scissors.
