Beautiful Birdsong
Lots of different voices
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To recognise the benefits of birdwatching and to learn the names and simple facts about some British bird species.
Preparation and materials
- You will need access to some audios of bird songs and the means to play them. These can be found at: www.british-birdsongs.uk.
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (Beautiful Birdsong) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Ask the children if they can name any birds.
Listen to a range of answers. - Explain that you have a challenge for the children.
Ask them if anyone is good at identifying bird sounds.
Explain that you are going to play four clips of bird song and you want the students to try to identify them. - Example 1: Play: https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/cuckoo/?type=song-681.
Ask the children to guess which bird they are listening to.
Listen to a range of suggestions.
Show Slide 1.
This is the Cuckoo, named after its iconic call. Cuckoos have a habit of laying eggs in other birds' nests. - Example 2: Play: https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/robin/?type=song-644.
Ask the children to guess which bird they are listening to.
Listen to a range of suggestions.
Show Slide 2.
This is a robin. Robins have a beautiful song. Though seemingly cute, they are fiercely territorial and sing all year-round to defend their territory. - Example 3: Play: https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/barn-owl/?type=call-807.
Ask the children to guess which bird they are listening to.
Listen to a range of suggestions.
Show Slide 3.
This is the call of a barn owl. Many people think that owls go ‘twit twoooo. In fact, there is only one type of owl that has the classic ‘twit twoo’ call and that is a tawny owl. Female tawny owls make the sharp ‘twit’ sound as a contact call, and the male responds with the drawn-out ‘twoo’ to declare his territory. The screeching sound we just heard on our clip was a barn owl, the type of owl that Neville Longbottom uses to transport his mail in the Harry Potter films. - Example 4: Play: https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/blackbird/?type=song-653
Ask the children to guess which bird they are listening to.
Listen to a range of suggestions.
Show Slide 4.
This is a blackbird, known for their fluting, mellow song. Blackbirds are known to sing enthusiastically after rain showers. - Ask the children if they have ever stopped and listened to the sound of the birds. Point out that birdwatching is becoming more popular with younger people.
- Many people find that listening to the birds makes them feel less stressed and brings them joy.
Time for reflection
Birdwatching is something mentioned in the Bible. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus encourages his followers to look at the birds of the air as an example of God’s care and provision. Jesus notes that the birds ‘do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them’. (Matthew 6:26).
For Jesus, birds were a good reminder about how much God cares about us.
In other parts of the Bible, birds are used as metaphors for the way God protects us.
Phrases such as ‘hide me in the shadow of your wings’ and ‘He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge', remind us of God’s protection.
Encourage the children to take the time to stop and listen to the birds. Encourage them to take a deep breathe and close their eyes and see if the birdsong helps them feel more peaceful and relaxed.
If appropriate, take the children outside, and allow them to listen to the sounds of nature.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for the beauty of your creation.
Thank you for the variety of birds.
Thank you that they all make different, beautiful sounds that remind us that we are all different and all special.
Please help us to take care of this world.
Amen,
