We had a jam-packed day today filled with learning and fun. We began by visiting Redwood Day School in Oakland where we had the pleasure of working with thirty-five very bright 4th graders for two whole hours! We had enough time to really get into our activities and into our awareness out in the field. We even got to input our class data into the eBird database for use by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology! After the 4th graders, we got to work with two classes of Kindergartners and revisited our activity of becoming birds. We flapped our wings, hid in the garden, found good sources of food, and hid from patrolling Cooper's Hawks. We had a great time!

Looking at the Juncos while hiding behind the log

After our day at Redwood, we jumped in the car and headed straight over to San Francisco (We wouldn't have been able to do that on bikes!). And we made it just in time to Hillcrest Elementary where we met up with the after-school program that meets there. We had a group of fifteen students and were able to walk to the nearby Mclaren park for some sunset birdwatching.

Kevin explaining about bird habitat

Getting a good look from the Red-Tailed Hawk

The whole class learning how to use binoculars
while looking at a very cooperative hawk

The park was FILLED with birds! Now sometimes, it is difficult to get students excited about birding when there aren't many birds out. But when this Red-Tailed Hawk flew just above all of our heads as we were introducing ourselves and perched in the nearest tree, most of our work was done for us. These kids had never held binoculars before and their school mascot just happened to be the hawk. They were hooked!

As we continued our walk through the park, we got good looks at Robins, Juncos, Flickers, Crows, a Cooper's Hawk, and even the tiny Pygmy Nuthatches. We snuck up on Robins, tried to listen for worms in the ground (as Robins do), played with field guides, ran around in a rousing game of Jays and Chickadees, and searched the forested areas for owls. It was a magical 2 hours--the birdiest yet!

Hawk-watching

Working on binocular skills

Listening for worms

This was a very full day but we had an amazing time with all and are feeling reinvigorated by the absolute beauty that comes with a habitat teeming with bird life and gentle birdsong.

Sneaking up on some American Robins

Field guides put a smile on my face too!

Walking where city meets park--obviously a safe haven for birds!