This week at Naturalist Nook, our young explorers set out on a chilly morning adventure to discover the secret lives of migration and winter birds. We started indoors, learning about which birds stay in North Carolina all year and which travel thousands of miles to warmer climates. Everyone was fascinated by how birds survive the winter—fluffing their feathers for warmth, storing fat, and relying on specialized beaks to find food.

Then came the hands-on fun:

• Fill the Beak Challenge: Kids experimented with tools that mimicked bird beaks to see how different birds eat seeds, insects, and berries.
• Bird Seed Bombs: Each participant made seed bombs to help feed winter birds in their own backyards.

But the real magic happened on our outdoor birding hike. Using what we’d learned about bird calls, we tried to call in the birds. Suddenly, a Red-bellied Woodpecker appeared overhead, and one participant’s eyes widened in sheer delight, watching it fly above. Moments later, a curious bird landed just a few feet away, paused, “called” back to us, and seemed to connect with the group before flying off. The excitement and awe on the children’s faces were priceless—reminding us why hands-on nature experiences are so important.

By the end of the day, our explorers had learned not only to identify winter birds and understand their survival strategies, but also to connect with nature in a personal, unforgettable way.

Stay tuned for our next adventure, Animal Tracks and Winter Survival, where we’ll uncover even more secrets of North Carolina’s wildlife!