Birding Archives - Jessica Scott Kerrin

March 7, 2023March 22, 2023

Red bird

Dear Danica,

Red is one of my favourite colours. I especially like red shoes, red ladybugs and red maple leaf flags. I do remember you because you asked a question during my presentation. Pro tip: ask a question at anyone’s presentation, and you’ll always be remembered. Presenters love questions!

I also remember that I told you my favourite bird is a puffin. They are so funny to watch fly, and the sounds they make are hilarious. Google it! Is that why you guessed that my favourite colours are black, white and orange? Clever you!

Happy reading,

Jessica

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

American robin

Dear Christopher,

Your American robin is wonderful. They do like trees, but I’ve seen even more on the ground in search of worms and other bugs for their next meal.

How do robins hunt for worms? Worms must be hard to find, right? I read that robins mostly use their very good vision. They can spot the tiny end of a worm as it pokes out of the dirt. They can also see small changes in grass as worms move about just below the surface, which tells them that a worm is there. It would be like wiggling your toes under a blanket. To be sure, they tilt their head to better see with one eye. Then they strike.

They also have very good hearing. As worms wiggle about, they move soil so that small bits of dirt rub together. This makes noise that is way too faint for us to hear, but it’s easy-peasy for robins. I’ll be excited to see them come back this Spring. Look out, worms!

Happy reading,

Jessica

January 24, 2023February 1, 2023

Geese

Dear Naomi,

Your letter really makes me think. I love it. You must have been in one of the junior kindergarten classes I visited this past year. Those classes were lots of fun.

I especially like your drawing of the goose. Birders would say that you nailed the GISS (which stands for general impression of size and shape of the bird). Your bluejay is also nicely drawn with its three little chicks in the tree. You’ve got an eagle-sharp eye! I think you must spend a lot of time with birdwatchers and/or authors. Both are always on the lookout for details to notice and remember.

Well done, you!

Happy reading,

Jessica

August 23, 2022November 22, 2022

Cardinal

Hi Jackson,

Thanks so much for your drawing of a cardinal, one of my favorite Canadian birds. Their gorgeous orange colour is a real standout against the deep green forest, and I do enjoy the variety of their songs and whistles. One of their calls sounds to me like the cardinal is asking, “Would you eat, would you eat, would you eat peas, peas, peas?”

That’s how I memorize bird songs. I make up words that I think they’re singing. I learned this trick from other birders. When I’m out in the woods, and I hear the question about the peas, I know there’s a cardinal nearby.

Happy reading,

Jessica

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022

Black-capped chickadee

Dear Lulu,

I also like black-capped chickadees very much. They are regulars at my bird feeder and they are big fans of the peanuts I leave out for them, even more than the seeds. Picky eaters! You’ve captured their striking head markings very nicely as well as their delicate feathers. Well done!

Happy birding,

Jessica

May 5, 2021May 5, 2021

Blue jay

Dear Austin,

I really enjoyed your drawing of a Blue jay. They are part of the corvid family of birds (along with crows, ravens, magpies and nutcrackers), and I read that members of this family are thought to be some of the most intelligent and curious species of animals in the world. They are very popular at the park where I walk with my dog. I hear them all the time making a big racket when we pass by. To me, they make a sound like the squeaky wheel of a clothesline.

It looks like you’re having fun in your tree house watching the Blue jay. You have a little table set up with drinks and a skylight up above. How cozy! Is that a birdwatching book you’re holding? I bet it is.

Happy reading,

Jessica