It’s time for young birdwatchers to turn their attention from watching birds to writing about them.
Born Free USA is sponsoring a poetry contest for children ages 5 to 18. Winning poems will be featured in a national magazine, Animal Issues Digest, and on websites. There also are prizes for the top three poems in each category. The nonprofit group works for animal welfare and wildlife conservation.
Students are encouraged to write a poem around the theme Poetry Uncaged, focused on the dangers to birds in the wild and the plight of birds in the pet bird trade.
Prizes will be awarded for 5- to 12-year-olds and those 13-18. Poems are due by Dec. 15 and winners will be announced on National Bird Day, Jan. 15, 2015.
To enter, send by mail to Born Free USA, 2300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 100B, Washington, DC 20007, or email to nationalbirdday@bornfreeusa.org, with the subject line “NBD Poetry Contest Submission.”
Provide the poet’s name, age, date and contact information. If the contest is part of a classroom exercise, include the school, teacher’s name, and contact information.
Name that tune: Reader Robert Bruland had a good question but since I am tone deaf, so to speak, I’m turning this one over to other birders.
“I have followed your articles in the Daily Herald for years and perhaps you can identify a bird call for me. This spring I noticed a birdcall different from any in my memory. The song starts with a loud See-See followed by (two softer and lower pitch) See-See, all at the same cadence. The bird is small, color light grey-green, is very shy and can hide behind a cherry tree leaf.
“Flight is slightly loopy, just noticeable, and speed similar to a junco. The springtime sounds would be from several different trees, but now only one bird is heard. I suspect this bird is new to the area due to weather change. Do you have any suggestions as to the identity?”
If you have an idea, email me at songandword@rockisland.com.
Think orange: Birdwatchers and hunters will be sharing some of the landscape as various hunting seasons are under way.
Hunters need to wear orange as specified by state law. Hikers, mushroom pickers and birders in hunting areas should consider wearing bright, colorful clothes to maximize their visibility.
Dead bird, good deed: If you find a dead bird on Whidbey Island, consider donating it to the Whidbey Audubon bird specimen collection.
Put the bird in a plastic bag with information on date, time and location. Email soaringridge@broadstripe.net or call 360-678-5403.
On the bookshelf: Tessa Wardley’s “The Woodland Book: 101 Ways to Play, Investigate, Watch Wildlife and Have Adventures in the Woods” ($26) is a fun book, set in the U.K.
Wardley’s guidance down the activity paths of relaxing, playing, being creative, being curious, and being adventurous will keep your attention and lead you into the woods.
Hammocks, tree rings and folklore, insect races, bird talk, woodland art and nests, fungi, navigation, bark, night walking … this is a well put-together guide that will help connect your children with the woods.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
