Seabird Sanctuaries: Fix Old Homes or Build New Ones?

In "Seabird Sanctuaries," we learned that seabirds need safe places to nest, but their homes are disappearing. This mission will help you explore how we can help them, whether by fixing old homes or building new ones.

The Big Question

How can we best help seabirds find safe places to live?

What You'll Need

• Small bowl or tray
• Water
• Small rocks or pebbles
• Small toys or figures (optional, to represent seabirds)

Mission Steps

1. Build a Nesting Site. Fill your bowl or tray with water. Add rocks and pebbles to create a small island or two in the middle. This is your "new home."
2. Test the Site. Gently place a toy seabird on your island. Does it look stable? Could a wave wash it away?
3. Damage an Old Site. Remove some of the rocks from your island, or stir the water to make waves. This represents a damaged "old home."
4. Repair or Rebuild. Try to fix your damaged island by adding more rocks. Or, empty the bowl and build a completely new island. Which is easier? Which seems safer for your toy seabird?

Talk About It

• What did you like about building your seabird home?
• Was it easier to fix the old one or build a new one? Why?
• What might happen to a real seabird's home if the water level rises?

Take It Further

For older rangers, research a specific seabird mentioned in the episode, like puffins or terns. Find out what their natural nesting sites are like and what specific threats they face from climate change or human activity. Then, design a detailed model of a new nesting site that would be perfect for that bird.

FAQ

Q: My child keeps knocking over the rocks. How can I make it more stable? A: You can use slightly larger rocks or pebbles that fit together more snugly. You could also create a base layer of sand or soil in the bowl before adding the rocks. Q: We don't have any toy seabirds. A: That's perfectly fine! You can simply imagine the toy seabirds, or use small pebbles or shells to represent them. The focus is on the nesting site itself.