Cochran Shoals - Birding for Babies

The morning after my owl prowl, I headed over to the Cochran Shoals. This bird walk, led by Audubon guides, was listed as an introductory walk, geared for kids.
Now this was a cute idea, in theory. The two guides had a box of smaller binos for children's hands and skill level. One had the birds app loaded on her ipod, allowing her to play the bird sounds we were hearing. When kids arrived, they were able to choose a sticker of their favorite bird.
Unfortunately, the children who arrived were a little younger than could handle the demands of outdoor birdwatching. Had they been able to view birds in captivity, for example at a rescue center, I think it would have been much easier to explain the point of birdwatching to them. It was also a busy walking area, with lots of noise and traffic. While the guides were very helpful, the trees we birded under were really tall, and the birds she pointed out were very small. I think it was seriously overwhelming.
I know of a small urban park near Atlanta where another Audubon guide has set up a small seating area complete with a half dozen bird feeders. This contained area, with lower hanging trees and lots of food sources would be the ideal spot for younger birders, in my opinion. You might still get kids too young to get the concept of using binos to spy on our feathered friends, but they would have more to see within a shorter distance. Then, once the kids had absorbed the concept of what birding was, they could take it further if they showed the interest.
I think it was no surprise that all but the oldest child, who had previous experience birding, lost interest quickly and departed for home.
That said, the introductory event was perfect for me. The guides were so informative, not only about birding as a hobby, but about the resources offered through the local Audubon chapter. They made the introductory master birding course sound much less intimidating.
Why not? More after the thanksgiving holiday.
Spotted today: cormorants, great herons, flickers, mallards, the usual chickadees and tufted titmice, redwing blackbirds, crows, downy and hairy woodpeckers, Canada geese, red bellied woodpeckers, ruby and golden crowned kinglets and a winter wren.

--Laura