🐜 Flying Ants Take to the Skies!

Feather’s Forest News – Breaking Bug Report

🧠 For Educators and Parents

This combined story and seasonal update is ideal for EYFS and KS1 children. Use it to spark outdoor observation and story-based reflection around Flying Ant Day, insect life cycles, and planning for the future.

The short video, gentle story, and nature facts all connect to real-world seasonal behaviour — with just a hint of storytelling magic.

🌤️ What’s Happening?

Feather the robin has spotted a sudden flurry of wings — ants on the move! It’s not even July, but the heat has brought Flying Ant Day early this year.

Local resident Archie the Ant explains: “We call it Launch Day.”

But this isn’t a random ant invasion — it’s nature’s great wedding flight. Every summer, winged male and queen ants take to the skies to find mates and begin new colonies.

Feather snapped photos of ants launching from tree trunks, paving cracks… even Wilee’s tail! (He shook them off — but only gently.)

🔍 What to Spot Outside

• Winged ants on paths, pavements, or windowsills
• Birds swooping low to snatch flying snacks
• Ants climbing high before takeoff
• A sudden shimmer or buzz in still, warm air

✨ Did You Know?

• Flying Ant Day isn’t just one day — it’s triggered by warm, humid weather
• Only queens and males grow wings — they fly to mate, then land to dig new nests
• Some queens shed their wings after flying and begin digging tunnels that very day

📖 Read-Aloud Story – “Archie’s Launch Day”

This gentle woodland story brings the moment to life, perfect for circle time or nature-themed story sessions.

The heat came early this year — and so did the wings.

Archie the Ant stood tall on his hill. Around him, young ants shimmered in the sunlight. It was Launch Day — their one chance to fly.

He took a deep breath, flexed his new wings, and leapt into the sky.

The breeze carried him high above the moss and tree roots. Archie looped once in the air, then glided down toward a smaller hill not far away — a quiet mound of soft soil, just waiting for something new.

As he landed, Archie unfolded a neatly drawn plan.

It showed tunnels, chambers, and a big round nursery.

He gave a firm nod. “This’ll do nicely,” he said.

Back on his old hill, the others were still launching.

And far beyond the forest — across fields and gardens, parks and pavements — other ants were doing the same.

All over the land, wings were folding, and plans were opening.
New hills were being chosen. New tunnels were being dreamed up.
Tiny architects were getting to work.

One day to fly.
A lifetime to build.

🎬 Watch the Short

See Archie’s big moment come to life in this 55-second animated short. Wings, plans, and tiny dreams — all taking flight!

📚 Coming Soon

Archie may be small, but his ideas are mighty. Keep an eye out for more from him in upcoming Andrew the Pen Maker stories — where even the tiniest plans can lead to something wonderful.