Birds Galore!
/Deep into their study of birds and wetlands, the Whales got a chance to put their knowledge into action as they ventured to Fernhill Wetlands! Our field trip started with a tour led by Seth Winkelhake from Clean Water Services. Seth talked to us about how our local wetlands improve water quality by removing nutrients, cooling, and naturalizing the water after it goes through a conventional treatment process.
Then we had the chance to spend time doing some serious birding! With thanks to Pacific’s Biology Department, and expert ornithologist and biologist Lauren Chan and Gregor Yanega, the Whales got to look through real scientist’s scopes at a wide range of birds - many of which we have been studying. There were squeals of excitement as Whales saw “their” Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Canada Goose, Mallard Duck, etc. What an amazing experience!
Whales have also spent time practicing being birds together. It turns out that trying to fly as fast as an American Kestrel, stare as long as a Great Horned Owl, stand on one foot for as long as a Great Blue Heron or flap your wings as quickly as an Anna’s Hummingbird is hard work!
This week, our exploration of birds has been focused mostly on beaks and feet. We pretended to be birds with webbed feet and straining beaks, wading feet and spear beaks, etc. We are learning just how important a bird’s beak and feet are for their survival!
