Latest news from science class

This little tree frog likes to sit in the vent pipe that leads to the courtyard - I'm guessing it's a warm spot on these chilly spring nights. Every once in a while we pull it out for a quick photo opportunity. Then back to the vent - we practice catch and release.

The second picture is a fully molted goldfinch. They are still regular visitors to the feeders, at least as long as the niger thistle seed hold out.

Parasitoid Invasion!

A few weeks ago Ms. Wemette brought in a large pupating moth for us to investigate. We were eagerly awaiting the emergence to see what kind of moth it was when I noticed a multitude of football shaped objects appeared overnight. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the little 'footballs' were pupating fly larvae which had invaded the moth as eggs, hatched, and consumed the pupating moth. The fly larvae then emerged from the moth pupa (note the hole) and pupated themselves. What a grisly story!

This is exactly the kind of interaction I studied last year on my Earthwatch expedition to New Orleans to study caterpillars and the parasitoids that occupy them! Now we are awaiting the emergence of the adult flies to see what species they are. My guess - tachinid flies. I'll keep you posted.

A bird rescue!

Tuesday's class proved quite exciting. Sarah noticed that something hit the window. When I went into the courtyard to investigate, this tiny goldfinch lay dazed and immobile on the ground. I picked it up, gave it some encouragement, and sent it on its way. But not before our photographers documented the event. Nice work Elizabeth and Sarah!

(Yes, we thoroughly washed our hands.)

A successful conclusion to Project FeederWatch!

Thursday and Friday were our last official Project FeederWatch count days. Adrian B captured some nice images of goldfinches in the middle of their springtime molt. We'll try to get some of them in full summertime plumage as the season progresses. See the post below if you need some extra credit!

Chickadee - always at the feeders.

Mystery Bird!

What a surprise I got this morning as I downloaded the photos from our last bird count. This bird appeared and no one ID'ed it for the bird count. I'll go back and add it to the Feederwatch count. The photos were captured by Devonai W. Nice job, Devonai - the pictures show the important field marks that help to ID birds. Use the internet or the classroom field guides to help with the ID.

I thought it would be a good extra credit activity for you to ID this bird. It's worth 5 quiz points if you correctly identify this bird. Add your entry to the comments and list the field marks that led to your identification of this bird. Don't forget your first name, last initial only so I can ID you and apply any points. Good luck...

Ms. Carreau

Next Data Collection

Mourning Dove

March 4 and 5 are Feederwatch days. I've printed out the data we've collected so far which we will analyze and make some predictions about what the next few weeks will bring based upon the data. Bring your camera if you have one.

2-26-10 bird photos

I think this robin photo is just begging for a caption.

Send in your suggestions. The photo was taken right after last weeks snowstorms. Perhaps the robin is rethinking the whole migration issue. Nice photo Lauren!

Robin - Lauren O.

A wet day of bird data collection 2-25-10

Some nice photos of smaller birds were taken today. The feeders were very active as the birds tried to keep their energy up in the cold and wet weather.

A very wet Blue Jay - Lauren M.

Tree Sparrow - Lauren M

Cardinal - female

Tufted Titmouse

Comparison of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers 2-23-10

Downy Woodpecker - male

Devonai W.

Hairy Woodpecker - male

Almost identical to Downy Woodpecker, but larger; longer bill.

Project FeederWatch Updates

We have collected data and uploaded it to Cornell's site six times so far this school year.

Next week we'll take a look at the data, look for trends, patterns, and ask interesting questions about the birds that have visited our site.

At right, a red-bellied woodpecker.

Downy woodpecker - GabbyT

American tree sparrow - Kevin B