This activity allows you to begin to explore wire-work and be inspired by the beautiful British Robin. In the run up to the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch there is a good chance that you will see this eye catching bird, with it’s flashing orange-red feathers. Traditionally we associate the bold British robin with Christmas cards but the robin is a UK resident and in our gardens, parks and woodlands all year round. They don’t tend to stray too far from the places they are born. If you want to encourage robins into your garden, their favourite food is worms so consider leaving some mealworms out at a slight height so the birds don't get caught by cats. Here’s hoping a robin hops into your vicinity, garden or window sill sometime soon so you can appreciate their beauty first hand! Finding creative ways to explore our native bird species (and none-native) can make birdwatching an ever more engaging past time for all the family to enjoy, one that connects us with nature and the outdoors within the time it takes to look out of a window. This nature inspired art piece is fairly easy to make if you follow the template shape below but feel free to design your own bird too. You can also adapt the level of skill required in this activity by changing the thickness of the wire used - make sure that thicker wire is still easily malleable by hand for little ones and recognise that it will be harder to get any tight corners or angles with it, conversely working with eg thin florist’s wire is far more complex, but you can achieve so much more delicate detail. Often you will end up working with what you have to hand, and as long as you can keep the fun in the exploration of the material too, rather than just the outcome, then you've got it sorted! If you would like to use the Robin template that I made, then please see below for the JPEG file attached too.
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch usually occurs towards the end of January, be sure to check out their webpage & sign up to take part - it costs nothing and is a wonderful activity for the whole family.
#natureinspiredart #familyactivity #childrensactivity #kidsactvity #familytime #positivewellbeing #familyfun #fun #robinredbreast #britishbirdlife #featheredfriends #britishrobin #robin #birds #rspb #make #create #wire #takealineforawalk #webekids #biggardenbirdwatch
Whilst using this resource to inspire learning, know you are helping you and your family's wellbeing by:
1) Get Active - Get yourselves out your front doors for a walk to a local park, woodland or area you know has plenty opportunity for birdlife. Collect a nice looking stick that you would like your wire bird(s) to perch on. Consider taking some photos (for reference if you spot a robin), or a small note pad & pen/pencil to sketch some shapes should you see one.
2) Keep Learning -There are some lovely facts to learn about the British robin from books and online sources. Check out the RSPB website and enter Robin into the search engine. You will be able to find out all about the Pigeon & Dove family and see some examples.
3) Be Mindful- Robins may take some time to visit your area and although known to be friendly birds, are easily startled. Learn to sit quietly in a bird populated area and let them get used to you too.
4) Practice Kindness- Winter is difficult for all birds, especially predominately ground feeders like the robin who can't easily access those worms underground, leaving a little food out for them too if you can is a kindness that can make a lot of difference to bird populations.
5) Think Community - Share your fabulous bird outcomes with your online community to inspire others to create too!
Background Music by: https://www.bensound.com