A Beautiful Autumn Day for PA Young Birders

On this gorgeous autumn morning, kids were excited to participate in PA Young Birder activities at both Rushton Woods Preserve in Chester County, and John Heinz NWR in Philadelphia.

At Rushton, Adrian, Blake and Lou facilitated a program about cavity-nesting birds. The three girls handled power tools with care, knowledge and enthusiasm, to construct a bluebird nest box, which will become part of an expanding bluebird trail through the preserve.

Bird box construction was followed by an orientation of the property. With map in hand, they were motivated to locate a specific box with a toy owl inside. While walking around the property, we discussed locations to install their newly-built birdhouse, and they decided that a grassland area was ideal – excellent choice!

Checking the landscape, we found several natural cavities of various sizes and discussed which species could possibly utilize these – screech owl, wood ducks, chickadees and more.  We saw woodpecker holes of different sizes, likely made by Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers.

We finished our morning at Rushton by drawing pictures of favorite cavity-nesting birds.  The budding artist/naturalists proudly displayed their work.

While Adrian Binns was occupied with PA Young Birders at Rushton Woods Preserve, Deb Beer was busy at John Heinz NWR in Philadelphia, leading an energetic group of 14 cub scouts from Pack 16 in West Philadelphia. For nearly all the kids, it was their first time visiting the refuge.  One eager boy exclaimed, “I’ve never walked in the woods before – this is neat!”  Highlights included a flock of Mallard Ducks, American Robins eating crabapples, and Double-crested Cormorants fishing in the impoundment.

They learned to recognize and stay clear of fuzzy poison ivy vines, on which Yellow-rumped Warbler feed, and stinging nettle plants, which host comma butterflies. They asked why there were cages around native tree saplings, and were amazed to learn that the cage protects the plant from lethal deer browsing.  The outing ended with lunch inside the education wing of the Environmental Education Center.

As always, PA Young Birders is thrilled and grateful for all the volunteers and partners who help connect and engage kids with birding and wildlife.  Together, we’re making a difference for the next generation, of people and animals!