My Nest is the best- A Sunnyside Reading Club Special session on birds and habitats

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What makes a bird choose one place over another to build its nest? Why does a baya weaver weave an intricate hanging nest while other birds settle for a simple platform of twigs? Our special Saturday read-aloud session set out to explore these questions through stories, observation and hands-on learning.

We began with a funny story about Paati’s beat, which brought laughter into the room and helped the children ease into the session. From there, we moved to My Nest Is the Best by Niyatee Sharma and illustrated by Sushama Durve . As the story was read, the children were amazed to learn about the different types of nests. The illustrations brought the narration to life and sparked conversations about birds the children already knew and those they were discovering for the first time.

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The children recognised some familiar birds and shared what they knew about the baya weaver and the cuckoo, with its reputation as a trickster. The kingfisher was a new discovery for some. These moments offered a natural starting point to explore the diversity of bird species. Saara our facilitator from the Ecology Project, brought these discoveries to life with video clips that helped the children observe birds beyond the pages of a book. This opened up a larger question: why do birds build such different kinds of nests? Nest design is not random. A bird’s choice of location, structure and building material depends on its species, the habitat it lives in, the materials available and the need to protect its eggs and young. From woven grass and hanging nests to nests tucked into tree holes or built on river banks, each offers a glimpse into how birds adapt to their surroundings.

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The session then moved from looking to doing. In a hands-on mapping activity, the children used clues and descriptions to identify birds and connect them to their habitats and nests.

The objective was to take this curiosity outdoors. By observing birds in their local neighbourhoods, gardens and school spaces, children can begin to identify familiar species, notice where they are found and investigate the materials birds use to build their nests. With careful observation, sketches, photographs and simple habitat maps, they can document their findings without disturbing the birds or their nests. We ended by making a zine to record our learning and to choose our favorite bird nest.

The session brought together storytelling, nature videos, observation and hands-on exploration to make learning tangible. More importantly, it encouraged children to look beyond identifying a bird by name and begin asking questions about how it lives and adapts to its environment. After all, a nest is more than a place to rest; it is a window into the relationship between a bird and the world around it.

Watch glimpses here -