Birds and Boats

 

 

Today we got up really early to go bird banding. The researchers did a great job of explaining their research to the kids and getting them involved.  Next we went canoeing at String Lake...one of the most beautiful spots anywhere. Our evening program was on animals and their tracks in preparation for tracking in the field tomorrow. We ended the day with a raucous game of apples to apples.

 

 

It was excruciatingly difficult to wake up early this morning. We were like walkers (yes mom I used a Walking Dead reference). However, it was totally worth it to see all the work put into monitoring avian production and survivorship, in other words, MAPS. As a group of 16 we walked through the natural environment checking every net for any birds that were dumb enough to not see the net. In all fairness it was a very thin net that we couldn't even see from a couple feet away. We understand why the birds got caught while flying because the net was as thin as a piece of thread. We split up into small groups after the big group search was unsuccessful. The three girls of the group ventured off with one of the researchers to go search some nets for birds. On our last run through, at the very last net we hit the jackpot. Literally these birds were golden. They were yellow warblers, as well as two chickadees. We learned how the banding and data recording process. After the birds have been banded and identified, we (the kids) released  them back to their natural habitat. For all of us it was it was a new and rather mesmerizing experience. We could have worked alongside the researchers for hours. Afterwords, we took a bus to String Lake. We went canoeing. Some kids were all cocky about how good they are at canoeing, and then there were others (not naming any names) *cough cough* Maddie and Rachel, who were basically magnets for rocks, logs, people... But let's not get in to that. One the way home, we took an unexpected turn into Loaf n' Jug (Wyoming version of Turkey Hill) and got slushies that didn't even last 5 minutes. We then returned to the lodge for a much needed nap. Afterwords we had dinner. I don't remember anything on the menu, except brownies. Apparently some of us really enjoyed the garlic bread, Maddie had 8 slices, I don't think she ate anything else (with the exception of brownies). After dinner we had a lesson on tracking. Tracking involves looking at footprints, fur left behind, food remnants, and scat (that's the fancy, scientific way saying poop). The instructor was very impressive with her ability to identify people from their scent... That's freaking awesome! We then played a hilarious game of Apples to Apples. We all know Jeff and Ms. Kann were definitely cheating. So that was pretty much our day. We (the girls) then worked into the wee hours of the night to finish this blog. Not really though because we had to be in bed by ten.

 -The Girls

Maddie, Morgan, Rachel

PS....there was no cheating, but we did clean up.   KK

 

 

 

 

Banding a kingfisher.

 

 

 

No wonder the birds can't see the mist net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Maddie helping a girl from the dorms upstairs who played cards with us.