Tis the season of giving, so today, the nature kindergartners gave our 4th grade buddy class the opportunity to join us on the trail for snowshoeing.
We enjoyed a nice winter stroll through the trail. With about a foot and a half of the white stuff, it was a bit tiring, but all students managed to trek around the trail.
Along the way we saw some signs that our animal friends had been enjoying the trail as well. In one of our barren trees, we saw what appeared to be a red-bellied woodpecker. However, after doing some research, it was too small. It was large enough to be a pileated woodpecker, but the coloring pattern was a bit off. The camera doesn't do it justice, but I hope to get a better look ever the next few days and make a better identification. Speaking of avian friends, two separate teachers have mentioned spotting a bald eagle flying over the land. I am desperately to have my class share in that experience sooner than later.
When we were near the woods where we had placed our mouse houses decorated with tasty treats, we found scat. Apparently, the animals had been enjoying their feast.
Reaching the natural play area was quite an accomplishment, Many students took the well-needed break to rest their weary bodies while other. . . . played. :)
After saying good bye to our 4th grade friends, we continued natural play. Digging in the snow, discovering snowy areas off trail, and making snow angels, we certainly enjoyed our final official nature kindergarten day of 2016.
 |
| See the splash of winter coats in the sea of goldenrod? |
Many. many more nature adventures to come in 2017.
I used to do bird surveys for a living, so I wanted to let you know your first guess was correct - that is a red-bellied woodpecker! So much fun to watch in the winter :) Thanks for your blog, I love seeing what your class is up to!
ReplyDelete