Our class was very happy and excited to have Mrs. F visit us today with her friend Little Hawk.
Little Hawk is a Swainson's Hawk and has a wingspan of 4 1/2 feet. She was a little nervous, but we remained quiet and did not
move quickly. In the wild, Swainson's Hawks migrate as far as Argentina from Idaho. We don't see these hawks in the winter
because they are in South America. It was great to see this bird up close. She is a beautiful raptor!
Our class was joined by memeber of the Golden Eagle Audubon Society at Hyatt Hidden Lakes on Thursday.
Between raindrops, our class identified many types of birds that come to the area to enjoy the wetlands. Our group saw dozens of Canada Geese.
In smaller numbers, they recorded seeing Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, Ring-Tailed Ducks and several Lesser Scaups.
We also spied a Swainson's Hawk and a Kestrel. The Song Sparrows created lovely music for our field trip. Thanks to Miss Forderhase for help and gluidance.
Just before Spring Break, Our class conducted a "Wild Bird Festival" for our 1st grade classes.
The younger students seemed to really enjoy learning all about birds from the older students.
Students moved through stations including: Fill the Bill where they learned how different birds have different bills according to what they eat.
Fine Art of Nesting where they learned about different types of nests and created their own and Grizzly Gizzard where they duplicated how birds
digest their food. There was also a Observation Station where students learned how to use binoculars and identify birds at the feeder.
Fourth Graders did an excellent job and First Graders learned so much!
Today our class welcomed Heather from the Intermountain Bird Observatory to our classroom,
She came to tell us about Long-Billed Curlews. What fascinating birds! We learned that they migrate from Idaho to
Southern California and Mexico every year. Scientists, like Heather, are trying to determine why this bird's population
has declined by almost 90% since the 1970's. We are excited to track the migration and movement of the birds
who are fitted with satellite transmitters.
We think everyone needs to be aware of these birds so that they can regain their former numbers.
| Species | Count |
Disposition |
Date and Time | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) |
1 | Bath | 09/26/2017 - 10:00am | Details |
 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) |
1 | Feeder | 04/29/2016 - 12:15pm | Details |
 California Quail (Callipepla californica) |
2 | Feeder | 05/02/2016 - 8:15am | Details |
 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla) |
1 | Feeder | 10/02/2017 - 8:45pm | Details |
 Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) |
1 | Feeder | 04/20/2016 - 6:00pm | Details |
 American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) |
5 | Feeder | 11/11/2014 - 10:00am | Details |
 House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) |
2 | Feeder | 02/25/2016 - 11:30am | Details |
 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) |
2 | Feeder | 04/08/2016 - 10:30am | Details |
|
American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) |
2 | Feeder | 05/12/2016 - 9:45am | Details |
 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) |
4 | Feeder | 10/03/2017 - 9:15pm | Details |
It was a beautiful day at the river! We walked for a while before joining Heidi and her volunteers.
When we arrived at the site, we observed several birds that had been captured. The students identified:
3 Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, 2 Yellow Rumped Warblers, Black-Capped Chickadees, a Mountain Chickadee,
A White-Crowned Sparrow and 2 House Finches.
Our thanks to Heidi and her volunteers and all the wonderful parents and grandparents who joined us!
We were so happy that Merlin came to visit our class before we went on our holiday break.
Thanks Ms. Forderhase for sharing him with us!
Educating children one bird at a time!
