Speedwell Nursery School had an exciting day when Paul visited with his barn owl, Flo, and little owl, Pip, sparking curiosity and developing children’s understanding of these fascinating birds of prey.
The children had really interesting questions to ask about the owls and discovered lots of new information. Paul shared amazing facts that captivated the children and supported their learning about the natural world.
The children learned that barn owls have spotty, freckly chests if they are female, helping them understand differences between male and female birds. They discovered that owl eyes do not move, so they have to turn their whole head round to see, which amazed everyone. The children found out that owl ears are hidden deep in their feathers, with one ear higher than the other so they can hear above and below them at the same time, giving them incredible hunting abilities.
Paul explained that owl feathers are very soft, so it is silent when they flap their wings and swoop down to catch their prey with their talons. The children learned that owls are nocturnal, which means they sleep in the day and wake up at night to hunt.
This memorable experience provided wonderful opportunities for children to develop their understanding of the world whilst encouraging scientific curiosity and respectful observation of wildlife. Speedwell Nursery School hopes the children enjoyed meeting the owls and will share what they learned with their families and friends.
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