Rainbow Grove

The loudest, most colorful gathering spot in the whole backyard — where Biv, Roy, and Carol hold court every morning.

A social hub of color and song where Blue Jays argue, Cardinals pose, Carolina Wrens sing, and Robbie the Raccoon does his evening rounds.

🐾 Who Lives Here

🐦

Biv the Blue Jay

The loudest voice in the backyard. Biv announces everything — hawks, cats, mail carriers, squirrels he doesn't like.

Resident
🐦

Roy the Cardinal

The most handsome bird in the yard. Roy's brilliant red feathers glow in the morning sun like a tiny flame.

Resident
🎶

Carol the Carolina Wren

Pound for pound, the loudest bird in North America. Her "Teakettle!" song carries three backyards in every direction.

Resident
🦝

Robbie the Raccoon

Robbie runs his evening patrol through the Grove. Always washes whatever he finds. Admire from a distance!

Frequent Visitor
🐦

Tuffy the Titmouse

A tiny gray bird with a pointed crest. He is Tootie's best bird friend — she always tilts her head when he sings.

Frequent Visitor

🌿 What Grows Here

🌻

Sunflower Patch

Tall sunflowers providing seeds from late summer through fall. Roy and Biv argue over the best head every year.

🫐

Beautyberry Bush

Bright purple berries in fall that look almost too colorful to be real. Carol told every bird in the neighborhood.

🍎

Crabapple Tree

Blooms pink in spring and provides small fruits through fall. One of the most important wildlife trees you can plant.

🌾

Native Grasses

Clumps of native bunch grasses providing nesting material and cover for ground-feeding birds.

Grandma's Story Corner

Pull up a chair, sugar. Let me tell you about this place.

The Rainbow Grove has its own morning schedule. First comes Carol — you'll hear her before you see her, that big "Teakettle! Teakettle!" bouncing off the fence. Then Roy arrives, finds the highest branch, and sits there looking magnificent. He knows exactly what he's doing.

The real magic happens at dusk, when Robbie comes through on his rounds. He always stops at the little water dish, picks something up, and washes it. Then he looks directly at the window. Robbie knows they're watching. He always has.

Every bird in that grove has a personality as big as a person's. You just have to be still enough to notice.

🎒 Explore This Zone

1
🎨 Art📓 Journaling⏱ 20 min

Color Field Guide

Draw every color you spot in the Rainbow Grove in one visit. Can you find all the colors of the rainbow?

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2
🔊 Listening⏱ 15 min

Bird Voice ID

Sit quietly for 10 minutes. Every time you hear a bird, write what the sound reminds you of.

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3
🔍 Investigation⏱ 10 min

Raccoon Science

Look for raccoon tracks near the water dish in the morning. Can you find the five-finger handprint?

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