Trips to the park and playground are great activities to do with the kids, but let's face it -- after a while, the whole jungle gym and see-saw routine can get a bit, dare we say, tiresome. If you're looking for ways to up the interest factor in your playtime, try something new by getting the kids involved in building a bird-nesting box for the yard. Not only will it get them outside and boost their hands-on skills, but you and your kids can actually help in the North American effort to recover struggling bird populations.

Help provide birds with increased habitat
As trees and forests are uprooted to make room for development, fewer natural sites are available to cavity-nesting birds -- birds such as sparrows and chickadees that burrow out nests in decayed trees or stumps. As a result, competition for homes among these birds, which number some 50 species in Canada, has become harsh, and scientists have documented a decline in populations.

But birds are adaptable creatures and when prime real estate is in short supply, a nice backyard condo will do. By erecting nesting boxes in our yards, regular people, often referred to as citizen scientists, can both give homes to local birds, and, by signing up with one of a handful of organizations, provide valuable information (such as arrival, departure and nesting dates) to researchers.

Groups such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology can provide your family with nest record cards that you can fill out as you monitor your backyard nest throughout the nesting season. It's a great way to lure the kids away from the TV, while also getting them to feel good about directly helping the environment. Be sure, however, to keep your kids' enthusiasm in check -- don't disturb the birds when they first arrive; after all, they need a few days to settle in. And when making your weekly inspection rounds, do so as quietly, quickly and secretly as possible.

Getting started
First, you need to identify the type of bird you wish to attract. Take an afternoon and sit outside with your kids. Armed with a bird identification book, jot down the types of birds you see and then hit the Hinterland Who's Who website to find out whether they are cavity-nesting birds and what kind of nesting box is best for them. Once you've settled on a bird to attract, click on the link for Table 2 to find the optimal box and opening dimensions for your bird.

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