Cape Cod Bird Nerd

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

7.20.16 KidSummer Day Camp - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

Painting is SOOOO relaxing, well it is for many people. An activity that I LOVE to both do myself and supervise, is nest box painting. I feel it is a way for us to give back to the birds, and it's a WIN-WIN situation. Kids seem to love painting them and birds will eventually inhabit them. They are a beautiful addition to any yard and their eye-catching uniqueness once designed, contribute to nature in many ways.

When breeding season is over, these boxes help to provide shelter from storms in inclement weather. They bring such joy to all involved, I wish everyone could experience the time we have when the kids are painting! Naturally I put on Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" for musical inspiration. It's one of my favorite things I get to do as a bird nerd. Wait until you see the choices they made with their paint. See photos below

We snuck in a quick tour of the museum & then hit the secret trail that winds on the edge of the marsh & the creek, through the woods and finally in and around the flower garden. We didn't spend too much time indoors, but we still have more time over the next 2 days. (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Gray Catbird
House Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Osprey
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Black Bird

The painting design process begins...

Happy messy painted hands!

Finished!

Red Squirrel

House Sparrow - male

Eastern Chipmunk & Red-winged Blackbird - male

Northern Cardinal - male & Red Squirrel

Checking out the ecosystem mural in the museum

Gray Catbird

Bird Nerds!

Pointing out another Osprey nest

Checking out the creek

Searching for birds on the secret trail

Vine wrapped around a tree

In the flower garden

Happy Birding!

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

7.19.16 KidSummer Day Camp - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

Day TWO! I was very much looking forward to hearing about bird sightings and stories from my new friends, and they did not disappoint! I heard about House Sparrows finding interest in some scraps at Captain Frosty's (I highly recommend their fried clams as well as their ice cream sodas! Cape Cod necessities!) I also got to hear about woodpeckers who'd left severe damage in Grandma's house. There was another European Starling flock sighting, similar to the one we saw on our first bird walk together yesterday, and one lucky bird nerd even got to observe a Baltimore Oriole (female I was told!) take a leisurely bath in a bird bath! This weather, hot humid and sunny, happens to be my favorite, but it sure can be dangerous when it comes to dehydration. The birds feel that pressure as well and we didn't see too many birds over the marsh for probably that very reason. It's easier to be sheltered and safe in this summer weather during the middle of the day when temperatures spike.

We did still see birds on our bird walk and today, the KidSummer Kids got a surprise - a new set of binoculars to call their own. They got to test them out this morning, and we had some interesting sightings, particularly of a Northern Mockingbird who was acting particularly territorial on the cedars of the dunes. We also had another beautiful Osprey sighting before we headed out. Thanks also to Marjorie who allowed our group into the new Butterfly House at the museum before it opened to the public for the day. I also got to teach them the Bird Nerd Salute! (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
American Goldfinch
Osprey
House Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Barn Swallow
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Northern Mockingbird