Bird Houses: Ready in time for springtime nesting

PLATTSBURGH | With warm and cool colors brushed in stripes and dots, kids painted a batch of bird houses to place on the Terry Gordon Bike Path this spring. Coordinated by the City of Plattsburgh Recreation Program, a flock of young people brought design skills and imagination to the task last week. "All About Birds" was led by the city's Environmental Educator Bianca Lynch at the newly opened Melissa Penfield Community Room. The project was part of a growing cooperative effort with the Town of Plattsburgh Parks & Recreation Department and borrowed from Lynch's experience at the Point Au Roche Nature Center. Lynch opened the afternoon's activity with bird calls, helping kids learn some of the songs and sounds that are common here. "We talked about feathers and what makes birds unique," she said. The birdhouses were made ahead of time by Lynch, and though designed for bluebirds, they can provide nesting space for bird species of similar size, she said. Learning about birdsong and habitat is a great way to help kids connect to the outdoor environment, Lynch said, recalling how her grandmother encouraged her to walk outside and write down what she noticed and heard. The kids kept very busy at it. Sophia, age 7, thought the birdhouse would provide a great place for a nest this spring. "They're made out of hair and twigs and hay," she said of bird nesting skills. "I think it could be a robin," she said of who might like the house. Her mom, Holly, said the afternoon craft session was a great idea, giving kids an interesting activity to do on winter break from school. "It's an amazing event," she said. "It's great to see the city put it together." The event was free for kids and families and drew quite a crowd. Grant, age 9, created a birdhouse with blue walls and a green roof. Lynch said colors can work to attract birds, depending on species. The birdhouse interiors were not painted. The plan is to place the finished products along the bike path, maybe near the bridge to Sailor's Beach, this spring to attract nesting species. Lynch said the city will continue to partner with the Town of Plattsburgh to create unique programs for kids this summer.

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Bird Houses: Ready in time for springtime nesting

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