Make an acorn whistle

Not much "making" to this activity, but if you have an oak tree in your backyard it might be a fun activity for the kids (and the big kids, too!).

Basically, this shows you how to use an acorn cap (probably from a more traditional oak tree with a larger cap than our California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) to make a noisy whistle.

Make an acorn whistle...

Dave writes "I came across this site while looking for crafts to do with all the acorns my 5 year old son collected at school and filled his pockets with. In true junior maker fashion he saw the acorns and knew there was *something* we could do with them. The acorn whistle on this page takes some practice but really is quite loud once you get the hang of it." Link.

(Via MAKE: Blog.)

For the birds...and birdwatchers!

A good birdwatching guide can make the outdoors come alive for even the most jaded city-dweller. This online birdwatching guide contains a wide variety of information and can add a bit of learning to you daily strolls throw your part of the world.

For the Birds and Bird Lovers The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a great source for all kinds of information on our feathered friends. The bird identification section is particular useful. There are also NestCams.

(Via MetaFilter.)