Reading and Writing Activities

Map of Panels at The Nest

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"Songbirds

"Songbirds have a highly developed voice box that allows them to sing beautiful and complex songs.

"Songbirds are known for their vocal variety and are most clearly heard in the morning. Their songs are used to attract a mate or claim territory. Songbirds belong to a group of birds called passerines or perching birds, and their toe arrangement helps them grasp branches. Listen for Townsend's Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Cedar Waxwings.

"Listen to nature's music"

Key Vocabulary

• Territory (noun): A space that someone or something believes they own and protects from others.
• Perching (adjective): Resting or sitting on the edge of something.
• Grasp (verb): To hold something or someone tightly​.

Writing and Discussion Questions​

• What purposes do songs serve for birds that sing?​
• Why might a bird need to claim territory?​
• In some cultures, birds and their behavior have carried symbolic meanings (like predicting events or changes in weather).
  In what ways do birds hold symbolic meaning for your culture?​

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"Shorebirds

The banks of the ponds and the creek are home to herons, egrets, gulls, hawks, and cormorants.

"Look for herons and egrets with their long legs, wading in shallow water to spear fish and small aquatic animals. They are patient and skilled hunters, standing motionless waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Many shorebirds have long wings, waterproof feathers, and a short tail. However, the feathers on cormorants are not waterproof so you may see them drying their wings after spending time in the water. Gulls are social birds; they tend to congregate in large flocks for safety and can be seen foraging for food over both water and land.

"Look for graceful hunters"

Key Vocabulary

• Waterproof (adjective): Something that stops water from entering and getting it wet.
• Congregate (verb): To meet together in the same place.
• Foraging (verb): To look around for food.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• What are the common characteristics of a shorebird?
• What might be the benefits of waterproof feathers for certain shorebirds?
• Why do birds congregate, and how is that the same or different from how humans interact?

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"Waterbirds

"The pond in front of you is the largest in the six-pond system. Collectively, these ponds are called the Oka Ponds. How many different kinds of waterbirds do you see?

"Waterbirds that you may spot in the ponds include ducks, geese, and American Coots. Ducks and geese have webbed feet, making them great swimmers. Mallard and Gadwall ducks like shallow water, and they mainly feed along the surface by tipping headfirst into the water; they are known as dabblers. Ruddy Ducks and Lesser Scaups dive for food underwater using their large feet and short legs. American Coots dabble, dive in the water, and forage for food on the land.

"Observe dabblers and divers"

Key Vocabulary

• Collectively (adverb): All together as one group.
• Headfirst (adverb): When your body moves forward with your head moving first in the same direction.
• Dabble (verb): To lightly dip a part of your body (usually your hand or foot) into water for fun or testing.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• What type of feet do ducks and geese have?
• How do their unique feet help them swim better?
• Have you ever learned how to swim? If so, what was that experience like for you? If not, what factors have kept you from learning the skill?

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"Pond Life

"The peaceful haven of underwater life provides an ideal ecosystem for a wide variety of aquatic life.

"Some creatures choose to spend their whole lives submerged beneath the pond's surface. Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, and Bluegill are fish that find these ponds safe and relaxing places to be. Amphibians, such as the American Bullfrogs, divide their time between the water and the nearby wetlands, where they find algae which is a vital food source for their tadpoles. Turtles such as the Western Pond Turtles are protected by their hard shell, and are often seen in and around the pond as they also search for algae and small creatures to eat.

"Learn about underwater life"

Key Vocabulary

• Haven (noun): A safe and peaceful place.
• Submerged (adjective): Under the surface of water.
• Vital (adjective): Very important or needed.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• Can you name some animals that live in a pond or wetlands?
• Which pond animal is most interesting to you, and why?
• Just like animals find comfort in a calm, peaceful pond, where do you feel most relaxed?

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"Watershed Biodiversity

"The water source and lush plant growth in the watershed area provide an ideal environment for wildlife to gather.

"A watershed occurs when water flows from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. Water runoff from the Santa Cruz Mountains provides water for the plants and trees on the hillsides surrounding the creek and for wildlife, including bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, mountain lions, gray foxes, squirrels, and black-tailed deer. The watershed also provides water for the Los Gatos Creek and the ponds. Upon reaching the ponds, the water seeps through the earth's layers before it reaches the underground storage basin.

"Protect & preserve the ecosystem"

Key Vocabulary

• Biodiversity (noun): The variety of plants and animals in a place.
• Elevation (noun): How high a place is above sea level.
• Seeps (verb): When a liquid flows slowly through something.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• What is a watershed?
• How does a watershed help create a supportive environment for nearby plants and animals?
• What actions can people take to protect and preserve ecosystems like this watershed, and why do you think this is important?

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"Corten Steel

"The weathered steel paneling to your right, facing the parking lot, is known as Corten steel.

"Corten was chosen for this building for several reasons. It is resilient to weather, minimizing the need for repair and maintenance, and can be recycled when no longer needed. The natural effects of weather create unique colors and textures on the surface, helping the building blend into the environment. The pattern you see cut into the Corten not only helps control the building's internal temperature, but it also creates interesting light and shadow patterns.

"An eco-friendly protective barrier"

Key Vocabulary

• Eco-friendly (adjective): Safe for nature or helps the environment.
• Weathered (adjective): Changed by sun, wind, or rain over time.
• Resilient (adjective): Able to quickly return to its original shape or recover quickly.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• What are the benefits to using Corten steel as a building material?
• Why might it be important to control a building’s internal temperature?
• Do you think choosing eco-friendly, recycled products in daily life are important, and why?

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"Bird-Safe Glass

"Birds often hit glass windows because the glass can reflect their surroundings, such as the sky and trees, or appear transparent. This confuses birds because they don't realize the glass is a solid barrier. Birds may even attack their own reflection, causing injury to themselves. Migratory birds are particularly prone to glass collisions because the area is unfamiliar to them.

"The glass windows in this room are made from fritted glass. Look for the pattern in the glass surface, which helps reduce reflection and glare.

"Protecting our feathered friends"

Key Vocabulary

• Barrier (noun): Something that blocks or stops movement, like a wall or fence.
• Migratory (adjective): Moves from one place to another, usually when seasons change.
• Glare (noun): A bright or strong light that may hurt a person's eyes.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• Why do birds (or sometimes people) accidentally run into glass windows?
• How does fritted glass help prevent birds, especially migratory ones, from flying into windows?
• What are some everyday safety design features that often go unnoticed but help protect people?

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"Dark Sky Lighting

"Lighting the night sky can be harmful to birds, animals, and other wildlife by causing disruptions to their behavior and routines. Migratory birds find their way using the natural moonlight. Nocturnal animals, such as foxes, rely on the cover of darkness to hunt. Insects can become confused around light sources.

"To help the local wildlife continue with their nightly routines, the interior window blinds in this building block light from spreading outside, artificial lighting is turned off overnight, and external lights shine downward, no brighter than necessary for human safety.

"Preserving wildlife and ecosystems"

Key Vocabulary

• Disruptions (noun): Changes or problems that stop something from working normally.
• Nocturnal (adjective): Being active at night and asleep during the day.
• Artificial (adjective): Unnatural and made by humans, often made to copy something real that already exists.

Writing and Discussion Questions

• How does artificial light cause disruptions to animal behavior and routines?
• Can you name some animals that are nocturnal?
• Just like local wildlife have their nightly routines, what do you do to get ready for a restful night?