A New Creed
We believe in God: who has created and is creating.
A walk In God’s World…Sea Life & Birds
This week, let’s explore the creatures who live in the Water and in the Air.
This Is God’s Wondrous World
Here are some of the lyrics that go along with the song played on our Nature Walk video this week:
This Is God’s wondrous world
and to my listening ears
all nature sings around around me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is God’s wondrous world.
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
God’s hand the wonders wrought.
This is God’s wondrous world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
declare their makers praise.
This is God’s wondrous world
God shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass or mountain pass
God’s voice speaks everywhere.
Take Your Own Nature Walk
When you walk on the beach, look down at the sand and water and see what you can see!
– How many different kinds of shells can you find?
– Explore a tide pool…can you see any fish?
– How many different colours of seaweed do you see?
– Turn over a rock and see if you can find some crabs.
– Can you spot any starfish at low tide?
• Explore different beaches…what do you find on a rocky beach that’s different from a sandy beach?
Now look up…
– How many different kinds of birds can you see?
– How many different colours of birds can you find?
– Notice if the birds fly alone or in big groups.
– What kinds of birds are swimming and what kinds are flying?
– Stand still and listen to the bird calls. Can you tell which bird sings which song?
Neighbourhood Bird Watch
You don’t have to be at a beach to see birds. There are many different kinds of birds that live in your own backyard. So grab a pair of binoculars and see who lives in the trees near you! There are lots of books available that can tell you what to look for where you live.
Birds Around the World
Some birds like to live where it’s warm and others don’t mind the cold. Check out the National Geographic Kids page. It shows some amazing birds. You won’t find most of these in your backyard here in B.C., but other children around the world might find them in their yards!
Make a Suet Bird Feeder
You need:
A microwave-safe mixing bowl, or saucepan if done on the stove
Mixing spoon
Rendered beef suet or other fat that is solid at room temperature
Birdseed or other goodies to mix with the suet – about two measures of filling for each measure of fat
Containers, molds, plastic wrap, or foil
Twine for making hanging feeders
Directions:
– Poke a hole in the bottom of your container and thread a piece of knotted twine through the hole to serve as a hanger.
– Gently melt the fat in a saucepan over low heat, or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Remove from heat, and stir your filling into the melted fat until well mixed. Spoon the mixture into the containers, making sure the string sticks out the top.
– Refrigerate for at least an hour until hardened. If you are making a large quantity, freeze extras for later use. When the cake has solidified, you can cut away the container or remove the lining (if desired), and hang your feeder outdoors in a shady, cool spot. Suet “ornaments” make great bird-attracting decorations for evergreens.
Fat Sources:
Any fat that is solid or semi-solid at room temperature will work. Harder fats will hold their shape better in cake-type feeders; softer fats will work better in container or log feeders.
Ideas for fat include:
Rendered suet, tallow, or animal fat
Lard or shortening
Recycled bacon or pork/beef roast drippings
Pure, unsalted peanut butter
Coconut oil
Unsalted butter
Fillings can be made from:
Bird seed
Chopped up apples or other fruit
Berries such as cranberries or blueberries
Unsalted, raw chopped peanuts
Whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, cornmeal, or wheat berries
Pieces of bread, or cooked, unsalted rice
Seeds such as black sunflower, hemp, millet, or linseed
Containers:
Get creative! You can make suet feeders out of most anything you can find around the house.
Ideas for cake-type feeders include:
Raid your recycle bin for old yogurt cups, frozen food trays, or other plastic containers.
Muffin tins lined with paper baking cups.
Shaped molds or plastic eggs.
Grapefruit or melon rinds, eggshells, coconut hulls, ice-cream cones, or taco shells.
Container tips:
To make a replacement suet cake for your metal feeder, use a disposable, square, plastic sandwich container.
If you plan to reuse the container, line it with foil or plastic wrap for easy removal.
Seashell Craft Ideas
When you’re on your beach nature walk, collect a variety of seashells to make a variety of crafts. Here are some ideas:
– Clam Shell Candle – Place a short wick into a large clam, oyster or “geoduck” shell. Fill the shell with melted wax and use as a candle to decorate your house or backyard.
– Shell Necklace – collect a variety of small shells and using a nail, carefully make a hole in each one. Then string them together to make your own unique jewelry!
– Shell Picture Frame – Make a cardboard picture frame and glue shells around the edges. When it’s done, you can put a photo of your family at the beach inside!
– Make Sea Shell Creatures – Use your imagination and glue some shells together to make birds and other animals. Glue some google eyes on them to give them character! Small shells make great feet while pointy ones can be used for beaks or noses.
– Sea Shell Wind Chime – Make small holes in your shells like you did for the necklaces. Then make several long strings, making sure to make small knots in the string so that the shells have some space between them. Then hang them from a larger shell (like the ones you used for the candle) and listen to them make music in the wind!
Download Bird Colouring Page #1
Download Bird Colouring Page #2