Nature Preschool learned all about nesting this week! What animals are creating nests right now? What do they use them for? Where can we find them? Outside the children were on the lookout for nests, burrows and lairs. We spotted squirrel nests high in the tree tops, found chipmunk and vole burrows, and even spotted some twig nests nestled in the spice bushes along the trail! Spring sunshine warmed our hearts and lifted our spirits. It also brought Irvine to life! It unearthed spring mud -which is a Nature Preschool favorite. We also enjoyed the active wild life. We observed the busy birds and spotted robins, mourning doves, red-winged blackbirds, nuthatches, sparrows, cardinals, blue jays and more!
Some of our favorite moments this week:
– The Rabbits enjoyed checking out the bluebird nest boxes to see if “anyone” was home. They took tools outside. They used the measuring tape to measure items found on the trail and scissors to trim invasive pricker bushes!
-The Flying Squirrels used “observation goggles” to find nest and took a “nature minute” to silently listen to nature. They acted as “nature kid explorers” and found animal prints, chew marks on bark and spotted tons of birds!
-The Foxes explored the wetlands trail and found a new spot in the stream. They met the red tailed hawk and visited the bird blind and observed several busy birds.
-On an extra windy day the Bears explored the animals and activities in Irvine’s exhibit hall! They learned about nocturnal animals and saw the turtles!
-The Coyotes used egg shaker maracas to sing songs about nests and eggs! They enjoyed exploring a wooded area dividing the meadows and found mud, blue jay feathers, woodpeckers holes and more!
-The Chipmunks made a variety of their own nests (in the sensory bin, in baskets, in kid-sized boxes, on the arts table, outside and in a milk chocolate snack!) The practiced their weaving skills on an old baby gate and played a game of hot egg (instead of hot potato). Outside they used windy days to have a feather races and fly recycled kites.
We are excited for more nesting next week! In the mean time, check out all the fun we had this week in our galleries below.
Until next time,
Nature Preschool at Irvine Nature Center
Outdoor Exploration
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- We kept our eyes to the skies and scanned the treetops for nests made by squirrels or birds!
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- The children check the bluebird boxes to see if any nests have been built yet.
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- She is using binoculars to try to spot a squirrels nest!
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- Spring days are perfect for a good old fashioned game of hopscotch.
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- The Flying Squirrels put on their eyes as they look for nests and active wildlife!
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- With spring, comes many pricker bushes. We started our trimming early to help make exploring more comfortable for our friends.
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- They found a book from the outdoor library and are using it to follow a recipe for mud pie. Yum!
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- The Rabbits observe active wildlife in the bird blind.
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- The spring sunshine was perfect for lounging on a blanket with friends.
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- She is searching for a nest high in the tree tops!
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- Spring mud is fun to explore with your hands, too!
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- Mud Face
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- We measured Irvine’s walking boards with measuring tape.
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- The Fox class sits on the trail to observe nests in the branches.
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- Magnifying glasses help this little fox closely observe moss.
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- The children notice peeling bark. Was a deer nibbling on it? Maybe he rubbed his antlers on it!
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- Nature Preschoolers know they can always count on a friend to help them balance.
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- The children enjoy reading the signs found throughout Irvine. They spot familiar letters!
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- So many loose parts to explore with in nature! This little one is moving rocks into a nearby trench.
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- This beautiful weather makes for a perfect story outside.
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- She spots a hole where an animal could be nesting.
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- The beautiful sunshine inspired so much outdoor exploration. The children climbed into a trench that is usually filled with mud and enjoyed seeing how it has changed in the warmer weather!
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- The bears use sidewalk chalk on the access road.
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- Exploring outdoors leads to positive feelings and self confidence. Just take a look at this little guy after exploring a trench!
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- What animal may nest in this natural hideaway?
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- These two worked very hard to make it this high!
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- These two are pretending to be burrowing voles, hiding from hungry predators!
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- The Coyotes made balloon kites! They had a blast in the wild, whipping wind!
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- The Coyote girls can not stop laughing about how hard the wind is blowing!
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- The trails were closed due to wind so the Chipmunk class made kites with recyled grocery bags and yarn!
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- The Chipmunks take a break from buiding log structures to smile for a class picture.
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- The birds are very active this time of year! The Chipmunk class stops at the bird blind to see who is out and about!
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- Making music in nature in Irvine’s outdoor classroom.
Discoveries In Nature
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- This tree was covered with woodpecker holes! The bark was loose and filled with places for insects to nest!
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- These Rabbit friends found a feather!
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- Spring mud is so much fun to explore! We like to bring out paintbrushes to make some mudpaint art!
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- A Woodpecker Feather
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- Animal Tracks
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- The Foxes visited the bird blind near the meadow. They spotted chickadees, sparrows, robins and mourning doves!
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- The children notice peeling bark. What this left after a deer ate some for snack. Maybe the deer rubbed his antlers on it!
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- She spots a hole where an animal could be nesting.
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- Miss Meghan and some Coyote friends investigate a woolly mammoth caterpillar. It is our first one we have found this season!
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- Up close and personal with a woolly mammoth!
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- The children love mud discoveries! This mud pit was found in Irvine’s lower meadow.
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- After this discovery we were left wondering who was responsible for this collection!
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- Blue jay feathers were easy to spot with their bright, vibrant color!
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- Fungus among us!
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- A salamander!
In The Classroom
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- The Coyotes work hard molding clay into nests!
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- A counting provocation using mini nests and speckled eggs.
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- The children made nest helpers! They used tweezer to push feathers, string, raffia and drier lint into these balls made from vines.
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- Miss Laura, Irvine’s animal specialist, shows off the red tailed hawk!
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- Framed burlap makes an excellent dry erase board! Look at this gorgeous creation!
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- We made nests from clay and natural materials like grasses, feathers and scraps of yarn.
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- Watercolor paintings created with natural colors like brown and muted blue. They are inspired from the neutral tones of eggs and nests.
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- The Coyote class meets the red tailed hawk.
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- Extra time inside gives us time to make playdough. The children helped and mixed their own colors!
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- What a lovely recreation of a squirrel!
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- We practiced weaving through this old baby gate.
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- This was a growing story created by the Chipmunks. Every child adds their own part.
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- These nests are made from recycled brown bags, paint and pits of tissue paper.
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- The sensory bins were filled up with nest building materials! Birds use just their beaks so we tried mimicking that with tweezers and tongs!
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- Birds nests and eggs are displayed on the table with magnifying glasses, nature journals and colored pencils.
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- Bird families in nests were created with recycled plates, mud paint and natural grasses.
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- A recyled brown box can lead to so much fun when we use our imaginations!
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- The writing table is inviting with stones and markers.
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- The children enjoy visiting with Irvine’s animals.
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- The Bears class explores the exhibit hall!
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- Watercolors and nesting materials provide an open ended art activity! They children used the egg carton as a stencil to paint speckled eggs.
