Brewster, MA
So this summer has been WICKED hazy, hot & humid. I realize that not everyone appreciates this kind of weather like I do & that maybe I'm a weirdo for loving it. I also understand that it can be dangerous to be out in this kind of weather for too long. The birds know this and teach us this lesson as well. When we're on a bird walk and the heat is oppressive, we typically do not see too many birds because they're sheltering from the sun in the cool shade and doing their best to keep well hydrated. They have their own survival tactics and it's wise to take note, follow their lead and find them when we can...in other words, we didn't have a very long bird walk this morning, but we still saw and heard many species.
Lucky for these bird nerds, we are able to take advantage of the museum before the guests, so I love to get them drawing birds...and while they're drawing, I ask them to notice all they can about the birds in Bird Alley. Where are these birds typically seen, not that can't fly to any habitat nearby... but each section in Bird Alley represents a different habitat. I always ask them if they've seen Night At The Museum & ask them what they think about this hallway if that were to happen overnight. NOISY is the typical observation. I would LOVE to be there if that were to occur, as long as the birds didn't poop all over me... Please see their wonderful illustrations. I always wonder why KidSummer kids choose certain birds...this week many of the popular species got their artistic tribute, though the Ovenbird (evidently this particular KidSummer Kid's favorite bird - impressive!) got its tribute as well; a first!
So our walk was brief, but check out our list below for the species we saw and heard. I also got to show them the Bird Nerd Salute as well. They were into it! : )
We also were lucky to visit the inflatable Humpback Whale that was stationed in the auditorium all day at the museum as well. What a unique presentation it is! I'd love to see the whale at the local schools... The bird nerds used their listening skills and answered whale questions and asked some as well. You've got to go sometime if you have the opportunity! (double click photos to enlarge)
Our List:
Gray Catbird
Blue Jay
Red-winged Blackbird
Osprey
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Taking over Bird Alley
Patiently sketching
Blue Jay
Snowy Owl
Ovenbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Bald Eagle
Northern Gannet
Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
SO many fiddler crabs! The ground was crawling!
Fiddler Crab, showing off his claw
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Cooling off in the shade by the creek
Tree hugging bird nerds
Goofy face!
Show us your wristband!
Waiting patiently to go into the inflatable
Humpback Whale!
Life sized inflatable Humpback Whale
Comparing species we've seen on
our bird walks to those on the museum mural
Life-sized Northern Gannet - GREAT JOB!
Happy Birding!
