12.8.15 - TUESDAY TWEETS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Rats.  I keep checking the radar and it seems as though halfway through our walk, the rains are predicted to show up.  Sorry to do this but cold rainy walks are not a fun time, and the birds tend to agree.  Happy Holidays Bird Nerds!

Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 1.12.16  $2Members/$4Non-members

Happy Holiday Birding!

12.4.15 - Wixon Innovation School - For The Birds Enrichment Class

We lucked out with the weather once again and we even had some warming sun on our side today as we ventured outside.  For whatever reason, we are still not seeing and hearing as many birds as I did with this class in the spring - which I suppose makes sense. Many species, though non-migratory, are finding food elsewhere and the school yard is just not as busy in the feather department!  Occasionally we do see someone fly over, like a bonus bird!  Today there was a Herring Gull for instance.  We did see, but mostly heard, some Black-capped Chickadees in the tall pitch pines on the edge of the school yard.  I'm waiting for some of the vegetation to clear a little more before we head into the woods behind the school.  Today's focus was on leaves.  WHY?  I asked the young bird nerds some questions about the value of trees in relation to birds.  Their answers: shelter, shared habitat, helps with food.  Perfect answers.  We also discussed photosynthesis and the importance of plants and how they relate to human survival and existence as well.  They knew that the trees and the plants make the air we breathe.  They are the source of wood for building our shelters/homes & making paper products that we use, and hopefully responsibly recycle.  There were many excellent observations about trees and leaves and plants and discussions about why they are vital as a facet in a healthy ecosystem.  I am pressing the leaves so that we can use them for future indoor classes on rainy days... and these students are so inspiring, they'll more than likely come up with another use for our pressed leaves as well!  (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
Herring Gull

Ready to press!

Finding different species of oak leaves

Comparing similarities and differences in the leaves

Hidden treasure on an oak leaf

Pressing the leaves

Grasshopper found!

Grasshopper appreciation

Oak leaf bouquet

Collecting leaves

Turkey Tail fungus

(studies have shown this fungi to be of use in treating some cancers)

Turkey Tail fungus

Searching for the Black-capped Chickadees

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds!

12.1.15 Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail

Another sunny day, another bird walk...though we didn't get too many long looks at too many birds on this pretty walk.  Sometimes a bird walk transforms into a nature walk, and the birds' songs and calls provide a natural sound track.  We were able to get some brief and flighty views of Yellow-rumped Warblers, though I'm afraid not every caught much more of a "flying across the trail" glimpse.  Sneaking up on them proved to be challenging on this particular day.  I felt like staying on the woodsy trail as well.  An hour can certainly be a tease particularly when you felt pulled in 2 different directions, Cape Cod Bay and the loop of the John Wing Trail.  We did have some quickie peeks at a Red-tailed Hawk and even a Great Blue Heron (tough to beat that!).  The American Goldfinches were singing to us as they foraged, though mostly out of sight. At the very end of the walk as I was about to say goodbye & 'til next Tweets, we did get to see and hear, a Downy Woodpecker, American Robin & a White-breasted Nuthatch, though I have no decent photos to prove ANY of this!  My arms, eyes and lens were NOT quick enough on the draw, though the whole walk, we seemed to have limited views!  Guess you had to be there!   (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
American Crow
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Goldfinch
Northern Flicker
House Finch
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
American Robin
White-breasted Nuthatch

Found feather

I couldn't even get a decent photo of a House Sparrow today!  

Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 12.8.15 9:30am $2Members/$4Non-members
Happy Birding!