Bir� of Britain

Conten� Features

Good Deed of the Week

We hope you enjoy this booklet on the birds of Britain, that we have put together for you. Our booklets combine interesting facts, articles and activities on a whole range of themes. Whether you are new to the theme (or an old hand) we hope they give you new insights and perspectives, or at the very least, a few enjoyable hours!There's plenty to look forward to in this pack:

Birds of Britain (a good read) - introducing some of our native birds and tips on how to care for them.

Mindful Moment - an activity that guides you in how to find some peace and calm.

Wordsworth's Puzzlers - A range of quizzes, puzzles and conundrums. There's something there for everyone!

Quiz Time! - How well do you know your British Birds?

Relaxed colouring page - an intricate and ornate way to spend half an hour.

Deed of the week - complete this to bring happiness to you and those around you.

Read on for intrigue, interest and inspiration...

This week write 5 jokes on 5 pieces of paper, leave them somewhere around your home to be found by others. Sharing laughter is a great way to lift people's mood, so, if you're really getting into the swing of things, pick up the phone and call someone with a corker!

If you take a look, birds have found their way into every corner of British life, permeating our culture. Our children learn about them in nursery rhymes, their elaborate plumage inspires high fashion, Vaughan William’s ‘Lark Ascending’ will soothe and cheer you in equal measure and who hasn’t picked up a Penguin classic book at some point?

Winter is a good time to look for birds in nature as well as between the pages of books. Why? Because many European birds have migrated to this country. We are warmer than our eastern and northern European neighbours, and food is easier to come by. So it's the perfect winter getaway location for them.

Bir� of BritainFROM THE COLLECTION

What birds might you come across at this time of year?

Wrens:The most common bird in the UK is the wren. They don't like being in the open so are tricky to spot, but they are never far away.Wrens have long been associated with shared working and raising young. This is because both male and female wrens take part in caring for their young. Wrens are also symbolic of sharing tasks within the home.

Why do so many flock to see the birds?

If you’re thinking of going for a spot of bird watching then you’re in good company. Paul McCartney, the Beatle who wrote ‘Blackbird’ is an avid bird watcher, and other ‘birders’ include Prince Phillip, Alison Steadman and Damon Albarn - lead singer of Britpop band Blur. Birds can’t help but connect us with nature, and watching them encourages us to go outside and take in the fresh air. It is also one of those activities that gets better and better the more you do it as you first learn about birds, then about their environments and finally, invariably, more about yourself and your connection with the natural world.

If you want to try it, how do you get started?

If you want to dip your toe and give birdwatching a try then the perfect opportunity is just round the corner. The RSPB have their annual Big Garden Bird watch on the 29th-31st January. It is the world’s largest wildlife survey and the best bit is you can do it from the comfort of your own home. It will give you a chance to get to know the wildlife in your back yard that little bit better, and possibly even spark a new hobby for a new year.For details of how to take part, visit the RSPB’s website on the following address:www.rspb.org.uk

Robins:One bird that is difficult to miss at this time of year is the much-loved robin. Regularly voted as Britain’s favourite bird it has come to be a symbol for Christmas, but did you know why? Postmen in Victorian Britain were nicknamed “Robins” because of their red-breasted coloured uniforms. So the robin on the Christmas card came to represent the postman who delivered the card. Here's another one for you, have you noticed a robin’s red-breast is actually orange? The bird was named before the English language had a word for the colour ‘orange’, which wasn't until the 16th century!

Chaffinches:The Chaffinch's powerful song will probably be familiar to you, and its 'fink' or 'vink' sounding call is what gave the finch family its name. However this particular family member is so called because it would spend weeks picking through heaps of discarded chaff for grain after farmers threshed their crops. Hence Chaf-finch! It's patterned feathers helps it to blend in when feeding on the ground, which is where it prefers to be eating insects and seeds rather than on bird feeders or bird tables.

Blue Tits:Another little bird we often see at this time of year is the blue tit, which represents love and trust. It is said that to see a blue tit fly in the sky is a sign or omen of love on its way. You are unlikely to mistake this bird for any other as they are the only British bird to have blue in its plumage. You can feel hopeful of spotting one as 98% of gardens report seeing blue tits in Winter, so keep a look out for one.

Tips for supporting birds:

Food and waterProviding birds with food is a great way to attract more feathered friends in to your local area. There are lots of different types of bird feeder you can choose from and the right one for you depends on which types of birds you want to attract to your garden.Having clean water available for birds all year round is just as important as providing food. Birds need clean water to rehydrate – and they like to keep their feathers clean, too. Nest boxNest boxes provide birds with a safe place to breed and raise their young. Pick a quiet location for your nest box, which is out of direct sunlight to keep the box cool.Let your garden grow (if you have one)Planting a range of different flowers and bushes will provide your birds with natural shelter and food. For thrushes, goldfinches and sparrows, make sure you have plenty of holly, honeysuckle and rowan on offer. Remember not to be too tidy in the autumn, as many weeds and garden plants have seeds that provide a valuable source of winter food.Set aside the pesticideTo create a safe environment for birds and to prevent harm, set aside the pesticide. Allowing shrubs and a few weed species such as nettles to grow will increase the range of insects in your garden and provide even more food for birds.

DID YOU KNOW?

A woodpecker can peck a tree up to 20 times a second.

An albatross can fly whilst sleeping.

A flamingo can only eat with its head upside down.

WORDSWORTH

P U Z Z L E R S

WORDSWORTH

WORDSWORTH’SPUZZLERS

RIDDLE: I am the black child of a white father, a wingless bird, flying even to the clouds of heaven. I give birth to tears of mourning in pupils that meet me, even though there is no cause for grief, and at once on my birth I am dissolved into air. What am I?

COFFEECONUNDRUM:

Would you rather be able to swim like a fish or fly like a bird?

ANAGRAM: ‘Cussing pelican’

Clue: A common paperback...

Only Joking: Q: When is the best time to buy a bird?A: When it is going cheap.

WORD WHEEL: Try to create as many words as possible with the letters in the word wheel. You can only use each letter once and every word must include the letter in the centre of the wheel.

I A

C TNC

IT

A

What common phrases do these pictures illustrate?

CATCHPHRASE

No placelike home

1. 2.

3. 4.

SUDOKUUse number 1-9 to completeeach box and each line.Never repeat a number withinthe same box or line.

EASY

DIFFICULT

WORD SEARCH

WORDLIST

ChaffinchRobinGoldfinchTitSparrow

DoveStarlingBlackbirdWoodpigeon

THE WORDSWORTH

Your mind is a dictionary, create a new entry and use it this week.

‘Poltroon’Definition: A spiritless cowardEtymology - The association of chickens with cowardice goes back several centuries, but poltroon has carried its cowardly sense since it entered English in the early 16th century. English picked up poltroon via Middle French from Old Italian poltrone, where it already meant "coward." The Latin pullus, a root of poltrone, is an ancestor of pullet (a young hen) and poultry.

Learn this short poem and challenge yourself to reciteit from memory. Higgleby, piggleby, my black hen,She lays eggs for gentlemen;Sometimes nine, and sometimes ten,Higgleby, piggleby, my black hen.

ARTICULATION

MEMORY

IMAGINATION

LEARNING

A warm-up for the lips, the teeth and the tip of the tongue.

The blue bluebird blinks

A word without meaning, create something new by adding your own definition:

Chicknology

QUIZTIME!

QUESTIONS

Q1.

Q2.

Q3.

Q4.

Q5.

Q6.

Q7.

Q8.

Q9.

Q10.

Who were nicknamed ‘Robins’ in Victorian times?

Which Beatle is an avid bird watcher?

Which is the only British bird to feature blue in its plumage?

How did the Chaffinch get its name?

Which bird can fly in its sleep?

Which bird is known for sharing their parental duties?

When was orange recognised as a colourin the English language?

What is the UKs most popular bird?

Which member of the Royal familyenjoys a spot of birdwatching?

If you spot a blue tit in flightwhat is it an omen of?

SOLUTIONS

RIDDLE SOLVED:

Smoke

EASY

DIFFICULT

ANAGRAMSOLVED: Penguin classic

SUDOKU: WORDSEARCH:

QUIZTIME!

A1. PostmenA2. Paul McCartneyA3. The blue titA4. The ‘chaff ’ for the grain it eatsin farmyards and the ‘finch’ for itsdistinctive ‘fink’ callA5. An albatrossA6. The wrenA7. 16th centuryA8. The robinA9. Prince PhillipA10. It means love is on the way

ANSWERS

Catchphrase:1. Swan song 2. A home bird3. Sick as a parrot4. Feather in your cap

Mindful Moments

If you want to get up-close and personal with birds, you must sit and remain still for at least 20 minutes. After that time, the birds you spooked on your arrival into their “personal space” will begin to relax and return.

The Sit Spot is a lovely exercise you can practice regularly to enhance your experience when you’re in nature. As your senses get more and more accustomed to the natural world, you will begin to discover things you had never noticed before.

Walk mindfully. Take a deep breath. Walk without a goal. You aren't trying to spot things. You're simply opening up your awareness. Keep your head up and try not to lean forward. Take shorter steps. Glide quietly, and look at everything. When you find a spot you like, sit or lie down and become still and quiet.

Watch mindfully. When you have arrived at your chosen Sit Spot then pick a point to focus on ahead. Notice what you see. While staring at that point, notice what you see in your peripheral vision. Turn your head, pick another point to focus on and re-engage your peripheral vision.

Listen mindfully. Notice sounds. Notice the silence between sounds. Listen to the furthest sound you can hear.

Touch mindfully. Notice what you can feel. Is the ground cold? What can you feel on your skin?

Participate. Notice how you’re feeling—what energy are you bringing to the place? Cultivate an attitude of belonging and participation, instead of merely being an observer.

Practice! Visit your Sit Spot daily, ideally for 20-40 minutes, if you can.

Finding Your Sit Spot

Simply Relax It’s just colouring in...