Hello from Miss McCluskey.
A wee update on The Big Garden Birdwatch…
It was a beautiful day- Just perfect for Birdwatching.
Let’s see who turns up today.
Maybe some of the smaller chirpy birds…
Or some of the noisy bigger birds…
All the birds pictured visit my garden but not all at the same time of year.
Time to start counting 1, 2. 3…
Playful Jackdaws flying up to the topmost branches of the Birch tree and enjoying being blown by the gentle breeze- the largest group at any one time was 7.
Lots of wee sparrows popping in and out of the big Hawthorn hedge – the biggest group numbered 5.
Three Magpies coming and going- following one another from garden to garden.
A pair of collared Doves flew down and had a peck about in the grass.
Mr & Mrs Blackbird hurrying here and there but never far apart.
A single Thrush hopping along the wall and looking to see who is at the bird feeder.
Let’s keep looking…
The tiny wren constantly in and out of the ivy.
A noisy woodpecker on a tree trunk in the neighbouring garden.
A big Crow down to see what’s going on.
Here come the starlings- firstly gathering on the chimney pots then swooping down to cover the drying green and scatter the other birds- the largest group at anyone time is 14.
Good job everyone!
STARLINGS WIN TODAY!
Beautiful Bird drawings
by illustrator Zoe Ingram
Q ??? Starlings are known as ‘Stuckies’ in Scots Language.
Do you know the Scots for any other birds?
Scots is rich in language connected to birds.
For more information on the sights, sounds, where names come from and birdie behaviour go to…
https://www.scotslanguage.com/Birds/Scots_bird_names_uid2017
Time to go outside and make some more ‘Bird Art’…
An ‘Automatic’ Bird Drawing
All you need is some card from a box, a broad felt tip, a paint brush and some water.
Watch the birds for a wee bit then as you continue to watch put your pen on the card ( start anywhere!)
Keep looking and as they fly in and out of your view let your hand move about ‘tracking’ their flight.
Don’t look at the card too often just let the drawing happen automatically.
Do this for a couple of minutes then change your pen for a brush.
Dip- and keep dipping your brush in water and trace some of the ink marks that you made with a sweeping motion .
You have hopefully created a wee Abstract Painting showing quick and often fleeting movement of birds.
‘Stone’ Birds
It is good to be out enjoying the fresh air and looking around to see what there is to just pick up and make some Transient Art.
So with a few stones, some beautiful dried leaves and bits&bobs of ‘wintering plants’ you can have good fun making your own wee garden birds.
They might not last long and soon get blown by the wind or washed away by the rain but it is enjoying them in the moment that counts!
Have a go at making…
some ‘Stone’ Birds!
More Art Ideas…
in Big School Birdwatch coming soon.
