Budding Ornithologists Build Bird Nests at Coy’s Brook Woodlands
Reflections by Naturalist & Walk Leader Andrea Higgins
Photos courtesy of Ms. Andrea and HCT Explorer Caregivers
Ecosystem Explorers joined me at the 28-acre Coy’s Brook Woodlands this morning. With its towering oaks, pitch pines, beech trees, red maples, and Atlantic white cedars creating a canopy of shade, it was the perfect place for our Ecosystem Explorer Adventure on this steamy summer morning.
Walking down the pine needle covered path we paused to identify poison ivy and agreed to leave it be for our deer, rabbit, and bird friends. Admiring the expansive views of the wiggling Herring River and the stunning marsh, we spied ospreys, egrets, and swallows flying above the grasses.
Fiddler crabs were spotted scuttling into their hole habitats as we creeped along the edge of the marsh where it meets the forest. We admired the males’ giant white claw and the unique iridescent sapphire blue design on their carapaces.
Mother Nature provided a morning snack in the form of sun-ripened blueberries growing at the Preserve. We marveled at how something so small could be bursting with so much flavor! Continuing our ramble, we were in awe at how many mushrooms we came across, in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, decorating the forest floor.
Arriving at a bench, Explorers climbed up to rest and listen to some stories. I shared a collection of bird nests, allowing each student to examine the shapes and materials used. The collection included nests from chickadees, robins, orioles, wrens, grackles, sparrows, and cardinals. We also inspected a variety of feathers in an array of colors and sizes, plus eggshells from barred owls, bluebirds, shorebirds, and chickadees.
Each child was handed a compostable bowl and invited to create their own bird nest using items found on the forest floor. Building materials included lichen and pine needles, leaves, small branches, and moss. One family set out looking for nesting material and discovered a small empty turquoise eggshell! They added it to their nest for a pop of color.
Practicing our bird calls, we tried to mimic the sounds of crows, chickadees, red-winged blackbirds, gulls, ospreys, great horned owls, barred owls, saw-whet owls, and mourning doves. The forest echoed with our laughter and the children’s sweet voices and bird song.
Today was another incredible adventure loaded with fun and discovery. I walked our families back to our meeting spot at the parking lot feeling extremely grateful for preserved places, fun times, and memories made. I am so looking forward to our next adventure! Enjoy the trails.
Happy Exploring!
Smiles,
Ms. Andrea
