Our Visit to the Botanic Gardens

As part of our inquiry topic - How do birds adapt in their environment?, the Year 2/3 team visited the Botanic Gardens. Some activities involved matching the bird to its nest, matching the skull to the bird and sorting different types of feathers into body or tail feathers. One of our favourite activities was looking closely at feathers under a microscope. Also, everyone made a print of a ducks webbed foot onto clay. In the afternoon we had a chance to explore the beautiful gardens. We were given three challenges. First to find a Kereru's (Wood pigeon's) poo! We learnt that a Kereru spreads the seeds of over 70 native forest plants. After eating the fruits, the birds fly away and poo the seed somewhere else in the forest.

Our second challenge was to find the half bird, half human statue and our last challenge involved finding feathers. Luckily we were able to achieve all three challenges. Well done everyone. We also spotted an eel and lots of tuis in the flowering plants.

What a fantastic trip - lots of learning and really enjoyable.

Matching the bird to it's nest

Pressing the duck's foot onto the clay

Matching the bird to it's skull

Using the magnifying glass to look closer at the feathers

Sorting feathers

Using the microscope to examine feathers

Learning about the Kereru's important role in the forest

We spotted a birds nest!

Bush walk

Ducks using their webbed feet to swim

Strike a pose!

Cactus plants

We found a Kereru

Half bird/half statue

Searching for Kereru poo!

We loved the children's garden