10.23.15 - For The Birds Enrichment - Wixon Innovation School - Dennis, MA

So for the first half of this school year, I have my enrichment class on Friday afternoons.. the LAST CLASS OF THE WEEK!  It was a pretty chilly afternoon, and I was hesitant to get these kids outside, expecting that they might be unprepared for the cold breezy afternoon.  I knew there was NO WAY I could get them to stay still, and who wouldn't rather be outside?  So that's what we did.   I wanted them to play what I call Toxic Tag.  I know, sounds awful.  This game is a physical demonstration of bioaccumulation.  I discussed the history of DDT and its adverse affects on several species of birds, Osprey and Bald Eagles and American Robins in particular.  Thankfully DDT is no longer in use and the populations of these beautiful animals are protected in several ways.  So back to Toxic Tag.  I had seven students on this day, and I let them randomly select whether they were to be 'predator' (only one) or 'prey'.   Once the 'predator' was chosen, a Great Horned Owl, we sent her off to survey her habitat, she ran off and the 'prey' were given their food tokens.  Some of the tokens represented toxins.  GAME ON... the 'predator' had to keep 'eating' and tagging her 'prey' so that she could survive, but... if she 'ate' (tagged) her 'prey' and they were full of toxins, the Great Horned Owl 'died'.  Thanks to our teacher's assistant, we have some fun photos of Toxic Tag - enjoy below (double-click photos to enlarge)

bioaccumulation:  The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.  

Our List: American Robin

Discussing Toxic Tag game rules

Choosing predator or prey

'Predator' tagging out her 'prey'

The next 'predator' is chosen

The 'predator dying' from ingesting too many toxins

Racing to choose the next 'predator'

Demonstrating toxic death - myself included

On the way back to school to catch rides home... we spotted this American Robin female!

American Robin - female.  Isn't she beautiful?

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds!

10.16.15 - For The Birds Enrichment - Wixon Innovation School - Dennis, MA

Sunny skies were calling us outside... and on we went to our Nature Scavenger Hunt - we didn't have to go far.  We stayed right in the side yard just north of the school.  The point to be made about that is that you truly don't have to go very far if you're in a green space to experience nature on a scale that you can personally appreciate.  Some of the entries the students discovered and recorded are in the photos below.  We even had a brief visit from a couple of Song Sparrows.  Nice sightings!  (double-click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Song Sparrow
Northern Flicker

Nature Scavenger Hunt is on...

We discussed this "dead" tree and its significance to the birds

Song Sparrow

Lichens on the tree branches, harmless or not?

Stink bug found!

Who wants to hold the stink bug next?

For some reason this stink bug just didn't want 

to leave the back of my hand...

Nature Scavenger Hunt results 

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds

10.13.15 - TUESDAY TWEETS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Bummer.  I was looking forward to walking those trails today after my vacation, but even if there's a lull, the birds know that it's supposed to rain much of the day.  Looking forward to the next Tuesday Tweets: 10.27.15 9:30am $2Members/$4Non-members

Here I am (along with others) admiring a Great Egret in Adventureland at Walt Disney World

Happy Birding!

9.25.15 - For The Birds Enrichment - Wixon Innovation School - Dennis, MA

Friday afternoon is the perfect time to get outdoors... especially if you're a kid!  I wanted to focus on the nature shapes.  What the heck are nature shapes?  Well that's what I call them.  I am BIG TIME into recycling, upcycling, eliminating too much waste from products that I use at home.  SO, I cut up a pizza box and the cardboard liner from a pizza box and duct taped them so they could be used over and over.  I call them nature shapes because I have the kids toss them like frisbees onto the ground, (sometimes they land in trees!).  Where they land matters because we then inspect everything within the nature shapes, it all depends on where it lands and what they discover.  What I'm hoping to illustrate with this exercise is that when you look at a relatively small plot of land, there is a LOT going on in there.  Sometimes the nature shapes land over trash that was previously un-noticed.  Sometimes there's a bug within the nature shape's area, sometimes there are mushrooms.  Why point this out?  How are the things discovered in the nature shape space part of the habitat of the birds and creatures living nearby.  How are they affecting the living creatures nearby?  Adversely?  Positively?  What can be done to insure that the birds and other local wildlife are able to exist so close to humans?  I want the kids to see a small area, but think big thoughts about how to improve where and when necessary.  Kids are often not given enough credit for their observations and ideas.  They think big thoughts all of the time!
(double-click photos to enlarge)

Old Man's Beard lichen on a fallen tree branch

Too small to see, but pointing out ants - BIRD FOOD!

Young bird nerds - practicing their binocular techniques

What do you see in this small frame of  the ground?

Look closer, it's not just the bug, grass, sand, rocks, pine needles, sticks

 - anything else I'm missing?

Tiny mushroom in the nature shape

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds!

9.22.15 - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History - Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail
Brewster, MA

The colors are starting to turn towards those lovely muted fall tones on the marsh.  We heard some chatter over head as we began our walk this morning, not knowing if we'd be feeling some mosquito relief, or be fighting our way through an attack yet again!  It was a peaceful walk this morning!  We were hearing more than seeing at first and I wanted to reach the beach again, well... because we can.  We were able to complete the trail loop - something we don't often get to fit in, but we seized the moment, and that trail I feel could put anyone at ease.  Even the breeze through the reeds and the oak trees made any anxious thoughts blow away.  It was nice to be in the sand, searching for the birds in the distance.  I'm looking forward to another new season, and it won't be long I feel before my cap is switched to a warmer hat!  Summer is on its way out... (double click photos to enlarge)  Rick's pics are WONDERFUL!

Our List:
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Gray Catbird
American Crow
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Eastern Towhee 
Pine Warbler
Downy Woodpecker
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Canada Goose
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch

House Sparrow - male

House Sparrow - male (photo credit - RICK)

Downy Woodpecker - female (photo credit - RICK)

Gray Catbird (photo credit - RICK)

The bees were busy...

Great Black-backed Gulls

Great Black-backed Gull (photo credit - RICK)

To me, this photo makes the gull look almost like a Bald Eagle!

American Crow (photo credit - RICK)

Black-bellied Plover (photo credit - RICK)

Note the black armpit in flight for ID

Black-bellied Plover (photo credit - RICK)

Bird Nerds on the beach!

Northern Flicker (photo credit - RICK)

Next Opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 10.13.15 at 9:30am $2Members/$4Non-members
Happy Birding!

9.18.15 - For The Birds Enrichment - Wixon Innovation School - Dennis, MA

Welcome to For The Birds Wixon students!  This great bunch of kids will be joining me learning about the birds here on Cape Cod & beyond, and about the species who live nearby and/or visit the school yard.  Wixon is surrounded by wonderful woods, expansive fields and thanks to the forward thinking D-Y district, there's even a solar farm on the property.  We're just getting to know each other and we spent some time in the yard today.  My intention was to show them some of the woods behind the school in the hopes of hearing and seeing some song birds.  Poison Ivy kept us away from the path entrance I had intended to use.  I sure didn't need anyone going home for the weekend with poison ivy!  So, we decided to stay out of the woods for this afternoon.  We did see some chickadees and house sparrows.  We also observed some evidence of birds and pointed out some cavities in a dying pitch pine & we talked about how it got there and why those spaces are so helpful to the birds.  It's going to be an interesting time with these bird nerds...
(double-click to enlarge photos)

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

Visible cavity in a pitch pine tree trunk

Poison Ivy... all around the entrances to the paths leading into the woods

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds and welcome For The Birds!  I'm looking forward to a great time learning about birds and nature with you all!

9.8.15 - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History - Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail
Brewster, MA

September is the favorite month of many locals, gorgeous weather, fewer crowds, less short cuts taken in our driving routes... Cape Cod has beauty to share year round!  The marsh wasn't too squishy, even though we were crossing it just an hour after high tide.  It was crazy at first and then slightly sad watching a Red-winged Blackbird take off - NO TAIL!  He definitely appeared to be relatively OK, but no bird lover wants to see an injured creature. Birds can evoke empathy in many ways.  It's sad to see something you basically can do nothing about to help.  Hopefully that guy will be alright, and find a flock who'll have him share in their safety.  There were just a few swallows to observe, darting this way and that, the way they do.  We saw a few near bird-sized dragonflies who managed to zip by, uneaten.  HUGE!  The Osprey were nowhere to be seen or heard... sigh.  The end of summer brings me down, I have to admit. Summer is worth celebrating here, with the beaches and what a PERFECT season of weather we've had!  Back to the birds though, we heard an Eastern Towhee as we approached the woods on the Wing Island Trail, though we barely caught a glimpse of him. It seemed he was not in the mood for photos.  We were able to make it to the beach due to the lack of normal distractions on the trail.  The gulls were resting and preening and sunbathing, along with a tern or two.  I can only imagine what the beach goers on the other side of Quivett Creek were thinking with 15 of us pointing and aiming binoculars in their direction across the water!  Sunny is always a nice way to start your day.  We were lucky once again. (double-click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
American Goldfinch
Red-winged Blackbird
Tree Swallow
American Crow
Northern Cardinal
Gray Catbird
Eastern Towhee
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Common Tern
Ring-billed
Laughing Gull

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird - male (tailless!)

Photo Credit: RICK

Norhthern Cardinal - male (banded right leg)

Photo Credit: RICK

Gray Catbird

Grey Catbird - right leg banded

Photo Credit: RICK

Common Tern - juvenile

Photo Credit: RICK

Common Tern - juvenile

Photo Credit: RICK

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

GULLS, GULLS, GULLS!!!

Ring-billed Gull

Laughing Gull - juvenile (center of photo)

Photo Credit: RICK

I will always think gulls are beautiful.

Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 9.22.15  $2Members/$4Non-members

Happy Birding!