Wednesday, August 5, 2015

8.5.15 - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History - KidSummer - Birding 101
Brewster, MA

What a great long bird walk we had today joined by our pals the Nature Sleuths!  We had an extra large group, which can make birdwatching a tricky thing to pull off.  Thanks to the viewing platform on the Lee Baldwin Trail south of the museum, I believe each of us was able to observe several species without too much trouble.  We listened to Song Sparrow songs and the bird nerds were able to identify American Goldfinches from their song alone!  WOW!  Such talented kids!  Wicked smart!  We took in stimuli from as many senses as possible: 
Sight - so many birds and how can you not appreciate the habitat we get to play in!
Sound - bird song and the wind through the marsh reeds and leaves of the trees
Smell - though it was low tide, there was a sweet and pleasant  scent in the woods
Touch - we used the trees to help us balance and the cool shelter their branches and leaves provided cooled us right down as we explored the woodlands.

We saw flocking European Starlings and what seemed to be a family of Mourning Doves. One of the bird nerds spotted a Great Egret!  I'm giving that sighting the Bird Of The Day!
When we got back to the museum, I showed the KidSummer Kids how to ID bird feathers with the feather book I have, a gift from my brother.  (Thanks Bro!)  Two more days with this lively bunch!  (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
Common Grackle
Gray Catbird
Blue Jay
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
European Starling
Great Egret(!!!! Bird Of The Day!)
Tufted Titmouse
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Common Grackle silhouette

Grey Catbird juvenile

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow on Cedar silhouette

Mourning Doves


Water source for wildlife - puddle on a rock

Blue Jay found feather

Beech Forest Trail


Evidence of wildlife, mammals &/or birds - a cracked open nut/seed

Using the natural root staircase on on hike
 
Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird


European Starlings

Song Sparrow


Happy Bird Nerds

Bird Nerds with the garden troll

Getting silly with the garden troll 
     

Using the feather book to identify and measure feathers
 


Measuring the Blue Jay's tail feather

Happy Birding KidSummer Kids!

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