Hip Hip Hooray It’s National Bird Day!
National Bird Day is designated by The Avian Welfare Coalition to raise awareness about the importance of birds and how we can protect them by creating a healthier and sustainable relationship with them. Look around you when you are outside. What birds do you see? Birds are the closest related animals to the evolution of dinosaurs and their presence is often considered to be an indicator of the health and vitality of the ecosystems they live in.
First celebrated in 2002, National Bird Day is considered to be a relatively new observance. However, the challenges that birds face are nothing new to the animal kingdom. Environmental conservation and rehabilitation efforts by humans go a long way to ensure that we will still have many species of birds around for years to come.
Ways you can celebrate National Bird Day:
Read a book about a bird:
The Birds of America, created by John James Audubon, is just as much a work of art as it is a seminal work of scientific mastery. If you click here, you can see a list of books available at Yonkers Public Library in our library catalog.
Check out one of our Yonkers Public Library Birding Backpacks:
"Don Lunetta connected children and families with nature for over 40 years as a neighbor and caretaker of Saw Mill River Audubon's Pinecliff Sanctuary. The Explorer Bags will continue his vision for people of all ages to get outdoors and discover nearby nature."--Anne Swaim, Saw Mill River Audubon Executive Director. What's in the explorer bags? Mr. Lunetta's Explorer Bags contain two pairs of binoculars, bird and tree identification cards, other nature study tools, and nature activity ideas for children and adults.
The Junior League of Bronxville birding backpack
Created from grant funding from The Junior League of Bronxville, this backpack contains the following materials: 1 book, 1 pair of adult binoculars, 1 pair of 8 x 21 children's binoculars, 1 laminated pamphlet, 1 sketchbook (9 x 12 in.), 1 composition notebook, 1 pouch containing colored pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.
Build a birdhouse or a birdfeeder
The cutting down of neighborhood trees and deforestation leads to a greater need for bird housing. You can make your own bird feeder at home with a few supplies you can easily find around the house: a toilet paper roll, peanut butter or vegetable shortening, seeds, and string (optional).
Pour out some bird seed onto a plate or wooden board and set it aside. Use a knife or a spoon to smear the peanut butter or shortening around the roll. Roll the toilet paper roll onto the seeds to cover it. Slide the seed-covered roll onto a branch or pull a string through it and hang onto a branch. You can also recreate the same project with a pine cone instead of a toilet paper roll.
You can learn how to build a birdhouse here.
Feed some birds:
You can buy some bird seed from your local grocery store or pet shop, but if you have some leftover trail mix that you don’t want to eat anymore, along with some halved grapes, nuts, and seeds this would be a nice treat for the birds.
Connect with our local Audubon society:
Our chapter is Saw Mill River Audubon and has been connecting people and nature since 1953. Join them online for monthly Zoom programs and their twice monthly Bird Chats.
They also offer free small group birding field trips. Registration required to ensure a quality experience for all with a limited number of participants. They do expect all participants to have updated COVID vaccinations.
Become a New York State Birder
Birding is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy! From Montauk to Buffalo, New York is home to a vast array of amazing habitat that supports over 450 different bird species. Birding, or birdwatching, is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages and experiences, plus it's a great way to get outdoors. Join the fun! Get out and try birding in your neighborhood today. It's easy to get started with this wonderful website from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Attend a Yonkers Public Library Program:
Riverfront Library is having a program today, Friday, January 5th from 3:30-4:30pm for babies, toddlers and children who are invited to come learn about the various species of birds, their habitats and how they live.
Crestwood Library is having a Grab & Go - make your own bird feeder available for pickup during library hours on a first come first served basis. This sustainable bird feeder project has been sponsored by Friends of Crestwood Library.
Plan ahead to participate in the Global Bird Count:
Join the world in connecting to birds - save the date, February 16-19, 2024 watch this video to get ready
Sources used for the creation of this blog:
- National Today National Bird Day – January 5, 2024
- https://www.birdcount.org/
- https://www.sawmillriveraudubon.org/
Z is the Branch Manager at the Crestwood Library. She enjoys birding and nature walks. She likes cultivating library experiences for patrons of all ages and matching people with resources.
Alison Robles is a Part-Time Junior Clerk at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She is pursuing an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.