Day 72 - Sat Jan 5: installment 3 of 4 on my P2F dept relief
I took a quick mid-afternoon jaunt to a park along the Delaware River to scan for wintering waterfowl. Visions of Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, and Mergansers dove in my head.
Scoping the river for a few minutes yielded all 3 expected gulls, Mallards, Canada Geese, and a few handfuls of Bufflehead. Then a gravely voice punctuated my search effort.
"Excuse me. Would you be able to tell me what kind of hawk I saw in my yard today?"
I welcomed the opportunity to talk birds with a stranger. With both of us eager to get down to business, gratuitous pleasantries were quickly exchanged. His description started "brown streaks here [rubbing his hands vertically along his sky blue coat] - brown on the back - with some white spots"
I cross-examined the witness regarding the overall scene in his backyard. With all the evidence collected, I pulled a field guide out of my pocket and turned to the accipiter page.
My inquisition continued, "did it look like one of these?"
"Almost exactly!"
"Were you able to get an idea of its size?"
"Oh yeah. It was sitting right on my fence. It was only about this big," as his wrinkled hands framed an NFL proportioned football.
"Are you including the tail in that?!"
"Uh-huh"
"Sounds like Sharp-shinned Hawk was looking for one of your feeder birds."
The conversation moved on to his growing interest in birds. We talked about some of the birds he should be on the lookout for near his house. When I mentioned Bald Eagles, his face lit up!
This genial gentleman is getting ready to hike into his seventies with his recently bought first field guide and binoculars!
Just as his bright coat disappeared into the distance, an immature Bald Eagle flew right over me.
Fledging Birders Tip: NEVER let an eagle go by without drawing someone's attention to it.
I noticed a guy coming down the path with two little kids.
"In case you're interested, there is a Bald Eagle flying right above me right now."
His 4 year old daughter came barreling down the little pier. "Where?! Where?!"
She was able to get on it naked eye but her first ever foray with binoculars was far from successful. By the time Dad and Little Brother joined us, the eagle was a just a dark dash over Philadelphia International Airport.
Captive audience at hand, I turned the conversation to wintering waterfowl. The scope wass dropped to toddler level. A male Bufflehead was framed in the circular field of view. After 3 attempts, the Big Sister finally caught a glimpse of the black-and-white duck floating in place.
Her interest, however, was more with the optics! I let her investigate my binoculars. Asking her to put the strap around her neck.
Dad launched into a series of questions about eagles. They were all soft-pitched lob balls. Each one hit with no effort. Yet each answer led to another question.
Reminding the active little girl to keep the strap around her neck.
Dad launched into questions about my birding activities at the park. He seemed intrigued that I was out there just to enjoy looking at the birds.
Praying that she'll keep the strap around her neck!!
Dad investigated some Mallards, Buffleheads, and gulls with the scope. We continued chatting about the birds. Little Brother was grateful for a turn with the bins.
What a relief to get them away from her!
Big Sister starts eyeing up the scope AND tripod.
Oh no! The tripod doesn't even have a strap!
"Your son looks pretty tired. Has it been a long day?"
"Yeah, we've been out for a while. He's ready for a nap. Thanks for everything!"
You're welcome.
Four potential new birders today = )
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
P2F - Popping the Cork
Day 71 - Tues Jan 1: Here is another installment on my P2F debt from late November. Let's flash back to New Year's Day.
The kids christened their new bikes with a ride to the local park. Once there, they did a few laps aropund the walking track before descending upon the playground equipment. I chaperoned the excursion - with bins strapped around my neck of course!
I was guietly delighting in several year birds - House Sparrows, Canada Goose, Rock Doves. Keep in mind - it was January 1st!
Another family ventured down to the park for some quality time. Moments after their arrival, the familliar flap-flap-glide is registered over the adjacent neighborhood.
"Here comes a Sharp-shinned Hawk!" I pretended to announce this for the benefit of my own little cherubs. My true objective was to pique the curiosity of either dad, daughet, or grandma of the newly arrived party.
Sure enough the father turned my way and inquired, "where's the hawk?!"
I was able to get him on the small accipiter that was actively patrolling the area. We talked for a few minutes about our local raptors. As expected, he was quite surprised to hear that hawks, falcons and eagles can be found flying over our neighborhood throughout the year.
As they were leaving, he thanked me for geting his year off to an interesting start.
The kids christened their new bikes with a ride to the local park. Once there, they did a few laps aropund the walking track before descending upon the playground equipment. I chaperoned the excursion - with bins strapped around my neck of course!
I was guietly delighting in several year birds - House Sparrows, Canada Goose, Rock Doves. Keep in mind - it was January 1st!
Another family ventured down to the park for some quality time. Moments after their arrival, the familliar flap-flap-glide is registered over the adjacent neighborhood.
"Here comes a Sharp-shinned Hawk!" I pretended to announce this for the benefit of my own little cherubs. My true objective was to pique the curiosity of either dad, daughet, or grandma of the newly arrived party.
Sure enough the father turned my way and inquired, "where's the hawk?!"
I was able to get him on the small accipiter that was actively patrolling the area. We talked for a few minutes about our local raptors. As expected, he was quite surprised to hear that hawks, falcons and eagles can be found flying over our neighborhood throughout the year.
As they were leaving, he thanked me for geting his year off to an interesting start.
Friday, January 4, 2008
P2F - Busy Birdy Morning = )
Day 70 - Fri Jan 4: Well, first period has JUST ended but I already have 3 quick Pledge to Fledge interactions to share!!
1)My tie choice this morning was one that has not left the roost of my closet in months. A few kids commented that I had a "new" tie on today. Upon closer inspection, they noticed there were hundreds of owls perched on the satin threads.
I see owl chats popping up throughout the day ; )
2) One of my homeroom students gleefully asked if she could get something from her locker. She returned a few minutes later with a bird magazine from her grandmother's house. During her visit last night, she saw the magazine and begged her grandmother for permission to bring it in to school. She and I along with some of her friends flipped through the pages and talked about some of the birds during homeroom.
3) My first period class was working on a project. This particular group has many focused and determined students. A few of these hard workers were totally finished their project and had nothing else to do.
I offered them to borrow a book from my shelves to read but they didn't bite. I was really hoping to have them pick one of the many birdy titles = (
Then, I pulled a rabbit from my hat - or my accurately the top of my perpetually messy desk. I asked if they liked playing Memory. Their eyes lit up.
Victory is mine!
I presented them with a Bird Memory game. They snatched it out of my hand quicker than a pigeon on bread crumbs. Not a peep was heard from either of them for the rest of the period = )
1)My tie choice this morning was one that has not left the roost of my closet in months. A few kids commented that I had a "new" tie on today. Upon closer inspection, they noticed there were hundreds of owls perched on the satin threads.
I see owl chats popping up throughout the day ; )
2) One of my homeroom students gleefully asked if she could get something from her locker. She returned a few minutes later with a bird magazine from her grandmother's house. During her visit last night, she saw the magazine and begged her grandmother for permission to bring it in to school. She and I along with some of her friends flipped through the pages and talked about some of the birds during homeroom.
3) My first period class was working on a project. This particular group has many focused and determined students. A few of these hard workers were totally finished their project and had nothing else to do.
I offered them to borrow a book from my shelves to read but they didn't bite. I was really hoping to have them pick one of the many birdy titles = (
Then, I pulled a rabbit from my hat - or my accurately the top of my perpetually messy desk. I asked if they liked playing Memory. Their eyes lit up.
Victory is mine!
I presented them with a Bird Memory game. They snatched it out of my hand quicker than a pigeon on bread crumbs. Not a peep was heard from either of them for the rest of the period = )
Thursday, January 3, 2008
P2F - Don't Get My Hackles Up!
Day 69 - Thurs Jan 3: As you can probably imagine, there are times in class where I need to be a bit more . . .
Hmmm - what's the right word? Tough? Strict? Stern? Evil?!
A student chose to disrupt the class today. I tried addresing the behavior without drawing much attention to it. Unfortunately, the hint was not heeded = (
Rude comments continued so I clarified my point with a more direct comment and a considerably firmer tone. The message was received loud and clear.
With the class returned to relative behavioral bliss, I capitalized on an opportunity to drop some birdy figurative.
"At this point in the year, I thought you guys would know better than to [read with a Shatneresque pause and slight inflection shift] GET MY HACKLES UP."
Confusion contorted faces beckoned an explanation. Just as I hoped!
"Some birds, like Cooper's Hawks, have feathers on the back of their head that raise up a little bit when they are stressed. These are called their hackles."
Silent nods of recognition chorused, "I should've known it was about birds!"
The accompanying giggles were clearly audible too.
Hmmm - what's the right word? Tough? Strict? Stern? Evil?!
A student chose to disrupt the class today. I tried addresing the behavior without drawing much attention to it. Unfortunately, the hint was not heeded = (
Rude comments continued so I clarified my point with a more direct comment and a considerably firmer tone. The message was received loud and clear.
With the class returned to relative behavioral bliss, I capitalized on an opportunity to drop some birdy figurative.
"At this point in the year, I thought you guys would know better than to [read with a Shatneresque pause and slight inflection shift] GET MY HACKLES UP."
Confusion contorted faces beckoned an explanation. Just as I hoped!
"Some birds, like Cooper's Hawks, have feathers on the back of their head that raise up a little bit when they are stressed. These are called their hackles."
Silent nods of recognition chorused, "I should've known it was about birds!"
The accompanying giggles were clearly audible too.
P2F - Spreading the Wealth
Day 68 - Wed Jan 2: The Killdeer from Day 63 spent some time this morning foraging on the soccer fields once again. They are SO generous to my students!
OK - they're not being generous. They are out there searching desperately for a bit of nourishment and energy to keep them warm in the near freezing temperatures. It' sjust good fortune that they are in close proximity to our class windows. As a matter of fact, I'm sure these birds have no idea we've been watching them.
Regardless, the apparent fruitful foraging grounds of our soccer field have supplied two more of my classes with decent views of our largest Charadrius plovers.
It's always fun getting kids on new birds. They get so excited to see a wild animal in "their" spots = )
OK - they're not being generous. They are out there searching desperately for a bit of nourishment and energy to keep them warm in the near freezing temperatures. It' sjust good fortune that they are in close proximity to our class windows. As a matter of fact, I'm sure these birds have no idea we've been watching them.
Regardless, the apparent fruitful foraging grounds of our soccer field have supplied two more of my classes with decent views of our largest Charadrius plovers.
It's always fun getting kids on new birds. They get so excited to see a wild animal in "their" spots = )
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
P2F - Bird Games
Day 67 - Mon Dec 24: You're probably thinking He's not in school on Christmas Eve!
You're right but I do owe you a few P2F entries for that last week in November. Here's the first installment on my debt:
My son and daughter were very excited to get a new "Birdopoly" game over the weekend. We played it 3 times on Sunday and Monday alone. Then our Christmas Eve gathering started.
After dinner was mostly out of the way. My daughter begged and pleaded with her older cousins to play her new game. I was so proud to watch her not only explain the fairly complex (for a 5 year old) rules but tell them about the different birds featured in the game.
She told them which ones we have seen before.
She told them some "funny" things they do.
She told them which ones are Mommy and Daddy really like.
She told them lots of things.
Even more important than her telling them, they were listening and interested in all of it!
You're right but I do owe you a few P2F entries for that last week in November. Here's the first installment on my debt:
My son and daughter were very excited to get a new "Birdopoly" game over the weekend. We played it 3 times on Sunday and Monday alone. Then our Christmas Eve gathering started.
After dinner was mostly out of the way. My daughter begged and pleaded with her older cousins to play her new game. I was so proud to watch her not only explain the fairly complex (for a 5 year old) rules but tell them about the different birds featured in the game.
She told them which ones we have seen before.
She told them some "funny" things they do.
She told them which ones are Mommy and Daddy really like.
She told them lots of things.
Even more important than her telling them, they were listening and interested in all of it!
P2F - Singing The Blues
Day 66 - Fri Dec 21: I received several birdy gifts this morning. There was one however that stood out and sparked some great conversation.
It was a motion activated singing Eastern Bluebird! The plastic 1:2 scale novelty is pretty accurately painted and the song is a right on the mark.
As if the bird itself wasn't P2F sufficient on its own, other kids who saw it ecognized it as the same species from the series of pictures on the board (see day 44& 42). The were extremely amused when the bird started singing!
This was such a sweet gift that the student took great pride in presenting to me. It was an honor to accept it as well.
It was a motion activated singing Eastern Bluebird! The plastic 1:2 scale novelty is pretty accurately painted and the song is a right on the mark.
As if the bird itself wasn't P2F sufficient on its own, other kids who saw it ecognized it as the same species from the series of pictures on the board (see day 44& 42). The were extremely amused when the bird started singing!
This was such a sweet gift that the student took great pride in presenting to me. It was an honor to accept it as well.
P2F - Father Time
Day 65 - Thurs Dec 20: Getting older is inevitable but I'm starting to feel like Father Time.
I received another very thoughtful gift today - a bird calendar!
This particular calendar highlights a different National Wildlife Refuge each month. Our "hometown" favorite Edwin B. Forsythe NWR is Mr. August in the collection = )
And boy - does Mr. August have nice pecs!
A beautiful Pectoral Sandpiper is featured since the blurb focuses on the shorebird migraton that draws so many Jersey Birders to Brig in late summer despite the onslaught of greenheads.
What made this gift even more special was its givers. Twins that started birding with me last year brought it in for me even though I don't have them as students anymore. Each of the girls (and their mother) wrote a very nice sentiment in the card.
Sometimes, there is absolutely no denying just how much birds can positively impact the lives of kids = )
I received another very thoughtful gift today - a bird calendar!
This particular calendar highlights a different National Wildlife Refuge each month. Our "hometown" favorite Edwin B. Forsythe NWR is Mr. August in the collection = )
And boy - does Mr. August have nice pecs!
A beautiful Pectoral Sandpiper is featured since the blurb focuses on the shorebird migraton that draws so many Jersey Birders to Brig in late summer despite the onslaught of greenheads.
What made this gift even more special was its givers. Twins that started birding with me last year brought it in for me even though I don't have them as students anymore. Each of the girls (and their mother) wrote a very nice sentiment in the card.
Sometimes, there is absolutely no denying just how much birds can positively impact the lives of kids = )
P2F - Bird Calendar Redux
Day 64 - Wed Dec 19: A student brought in a gift for me today. The shape was rather familiar ;)
The official unveiling delivered a sense of Deja Vu.
It as the same exact calendar that I received in Monday's pollyana!!
Now, I had one for home and one for the class. That makes things easier.
The same conversation as Monday was underway. This time it was with a class of 26 students that wanted to see the birds of each month = )
The official unveiling delivered a sense of Deja Vu.
It as the same exact calendar that I received in Monday's pollyana!!
Now, I had one for home and one for the class. That makes things easier.
The same conversation as Monday was underway. This time it was with a class of 26 students that wanted to see the birds of each month = )
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