Brewster, MA
The start of a new week in KidSummer always brings promise and excitement! What bird stories do these kids have? What will their questions be? What will we learn from each other? Right after check-in, and as we walked to our home base room in the museum, a huge flock of European Starlings swooped over the building! What a sight! The kids "oooh-ed & aaahhh-ed", which always makes me happy that they feel the same about seeing that happen. In we went, with smiles on our faces! I always give a brief version of my Birdwatching For Beginners presentation so they are equipped with helpful tips for our bird walks all week. They did a fantastic job constructing their birdoculars as well. Before we headed out today, we were able to take advantage of a spontaneous visit with Rydell, the KidSummer Assistant. Recently, she and her family assisted a young Northern Cardinal back to his/her nest & family when a wild storm had blown the nest out of a tree. Turns out the youngster was fledging (just learning how to fly & leave the nest independently) and just needed some coaxing, and all was well. The KidSummer Kids really enjoyed the photos and short video of the bird. Fascinating! It's always a wonderful thing to promote knowledge and compassion for our wildlife friends. They have it pretty tough!
Out on our walk we went and we had just BEAUTIFUL views of an American Goldfinch male, who conveniently perched atop a tree right in front of us. We didn't get too far on this walk, because the sightings kept on coming. Again, it's not necessarily the distance on a bird walk - it's the quality of the views & sounds. One of the KidSummer Kids made an observation that a Northern Cardinal male was flying back and forth over the marsh in order to bring food to his young babies. Based on what we observed, I have to believe that she's absolutely RIGHT! Pretty cool for day 1! As far as views go, you really can't beat being on the property & surrounding grounds of the Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History! These birds are no dummies! We have lots to see and learn this week. I'm looking forward to our mornings together. (double click images to enlarge)
Our List:
European Starling
Gray Catbird
House Sparrow
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
American Goldfinch - male
Osprey
Northern Cardinal - female & male
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Song Sparrow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Rydell, KidSummer Assistant, showing the KidSummer kids pictures of
the juvenile Northern Cardinal she and her family rescued.
What's Your Wingspan?
Always a great photo opp!
Practicing the Black-capped Chickadee wingspan pose
Chickadee wingspan pose
Birdoculars help you focus and help cut down on the sun's glare
Birdwatching on the trail behind the museum is a hot spot!
American Goldfinch - male
American Goldfinch - male
Checking out the "good" reed grass, as opposed to the phragmites
Testing out birdoculars on the marsh trail
Northern Cardinal - female
European Starlings flocking over the marsh
Osprey's backside
Happy Birding KidSummer Kids!
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