Last Wednesday, the second grade students traveled to Rushton Woods Preserve near Newtown Square to observe how birds are banded. During this time of fall migration, many birds stop off at Rushton Woods to feed and rest as they fly south. Volunteers spend mornings catching the birds in mist nets and recording information about them. The students watched as each bird was carefully inspected and weighed, and if they had not been caught before, banded on the leg with a small metal cuff. The children were assured that none of this hurt the birds, but maybe frightened them just a bit, and it was important for the students to be quiet throughout the process. After each bird was checked, the children had the opportunity to touch it and some even got to hold a bird before it was released.
A walk in the woods, lunch in the herb garden, along with a chance to quietly sketch among the many lovely flowers growing near the barn area, completed this very exciting day!
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