Monday, February 27, 2017

2.27.17 Birds Class - Wixon Innovation Middle School
South Dennis, MA

So my new flock of bird nerds and I set out today for a nature scavenger hunt, looking for clues, searching for evidence... making connections between what they discovered in the school yard, and how it relates to birds.  Every living thing needs:
Food
Water
Shelter

Space
... and today it was our job to inspect the surrounding habitat of the school, to learn which aspects would help local & migrant birds to thrive.  What a fantastic job they did!  They found nesting materials, food sources, sheltered areas and we caught a glimpse of a seemingly lost Killdeer who was flying way up high over the ball field...poor lil' thing. Winds can truly have a negative effect upon migrants and really any bird at all.  We had 20mph gusts to deal with in South Dennis today.  Winds are so powerful, they can blow migrants off their course, keep birds from feeding, and hinder their ability to survive.  The Killdeer didn't stick around for too long once s/he saw our crowd, but it was nice to catch a glimpse of her/him!

These birds nerds are honing their birdwatching skills and seem to LOVE sharing their enthusiasm for the clues they find and their growing knowledge of habitats.  Spring is right around the corner...!  One of the best aspects of this particular time of year is that Mother Nature, is definitely leaning in our favor... there are so many bird species to see! (double click photos to enlarge)




Searching for scavenger hunt clues..



Being mindful of the scavenger hunt checklist

Hole in a tree

Tree as tall as YOU!

Bird nerds, screaming "Bird TURDS!"


Discovering animal tracks


Finding roly poly bugs (bird food source) in the bark of a tree

Searching in the dirt and ground cover for more bugs

Found feather!

Happy Birding bird nerds!


Thursday, February 23, 2017

2.23.17 Birdwatching For Beginners - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

February vacation can be an opportunity for folks of all ages to visit the museum and fortunately for me, sometimes they come to my presentation!  I was asked to present twice today and each group was so great!  Lots of questions and enthusiastic answers and interesting bird stories... and we had several birds (seen & heard) on our brief walks outside on this wildly warm February day!  It was in the 60's and it even smelled like spring when we were outside.  Being outside is the ultimate goal of birdwatching... what a day for it today! Thanks Bird Nerds! (double click photos to enlarge)

10am Class - Our List: 
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Blue Jay
House Sparrow
Canada Goose
American Crows

11am Birdwatchers

Generations birdwatching together in the Marshview Room

12:30pm Class - Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Cardinal
Turkey Vulture
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Tufted Titmouse
American Crow
1:30pm Birdwatchers

Don't miss the Turkey Vulture near the top of the photo...

Mourning Dove & Black-capped Chickadee

Happy Birding!
Next opportunity for Birdwatching for Beginners: 3.23.17 Members: free, Non-members: included with museum admission fee
2.22.17  Birdwatching For Beginners - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History
Brewster, MA

Birdwatching is FUN!!! Join me today at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster for Birdwatching For Beginners! Two classes today: 10am & 12:30pm. Call the museum for registration 508-896-3867. See you there bird nerd... — withCape Cod Museum of Natural History.



Tuesday, February 14, 2017

2.14.17   TUESDAY TWEETS CANCELLED

I never cancel a bird walk without good reason... the icy underfoot conditions most everywhere on Cape Cod today make for potentially treacherous walking... as far as ankles go.  It's also very cold, though that rarely stops me.  So - I apologize for not braving the elements today, but I look forward to the next Tuesday Tweets (3.28.17 at 9:30am).
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  It's always been one of my favorite days of the year... and Thank you to Andrew & Alex for my Valentine's Day Card! 



Happy Birding!
Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 3.14.17 @ 9:30am $2Members/$4Non-members