Rushton Farms hosts PA Young Birders

Kiera, who is working towards achieving her Eagle Scout, taught an outstanding lesson on bird migration to the enthusiastic group.

Employing a “connect the dots” strategy on maps, the kids plotted migration routes of various birds, such as Broad-winged Hawk and Scarlet Tanager, illustrating the long journeys from North America to Central and South America.

After loaning each child a pair of Nikon binoculars, and practicing how to find and focus, we ventured into the field for a bird walk.

A pair of Tree Swallows perched conspicuously beside their nest box in the garden.  They provided us an opportunity to discuss what they fed upon, why they migrated, what type of nests they used, and what identifciation features separated them from Barn Swallows that were also flying around the area. The kids’ knowlege  of tail shapes and other details was quite remarkable.

Eastern Bluebirds also showed nicely, providing another study of a cavity-nesting bird that uses man-made nest boxes. I explained that both Tree Swallows and bluebirds readily use these boxes, but each species builds it’s nest in a very different way, making it relatively easy to identify the home-owners.  I opened a box to reveal a finished nest, 4 inches high, made of dried grasses – a bluebird’s nest! Tree Swallows tend to use a lot of white feathers in constructing a shallow nest.

Both Black and Turkey Vultures soared slowly overhead, which gave us an opportunity to see the difference in structure and flight between these two species. During our walk we also listened to twittering House Wrens, whistling Baltimore Orioles, and singing Common Yellowthroats.

Many thanks to Keira, Liza, Blake and Lou for their excellent assistance.  And many thanks to all the kids who came out to enjoy this outing.  You are all invited to join us again on May 21st for the next PA Young Birders field trip at Rushton Farms.