Busy Times for the Youth Education Department
Written by Mary-Britton Simmons
The end of winter was a busy time for the Youth Education Department. We started off the season with a new program, a monthly walk for children at Juanita Bay Park. Seventeen intrepid birders, some with and some without children, braved the cold weather as Shruti led us around the park, one of our favorite places to find and identify birds. Watch the Covid Crier for monthly dates and join us!
Later in the month, we spent the day at Ella Baker Elementary School where we gave presentations to four classes of first graders. A Rufus Hummingbird, a male Bufflehead, two Cooper’s Hawks, and others greeted our students as they entered the classroom. There was more to enjoy: feathers with magnifying glasses, bird song books, and even a chance to practice flying on their own. It was wonderful to be in a classroom again. The month ended with a trip to the Newport Library where parents and children were enthralled by the mounts, carefully passed around the Ostrich egg, and stretched arms wide to showcase the wings of a Wandering Albatross.
March provided more fun with students from Providence Classical Christian School in Bothell. Two classes of first graders learned about migration. Our mounts, such as the Yellow-rumped Warbler and Vaux’s Swift, were some of their teachers. Our volunteer carefully explained concepts such as the tools, characteristics, and dangers of migration. They met Hope, a Whimbrel who migrated each fall to St. Croix and back in the spring to northern Canada. Finally the month ended with two STEM nights for the Lake Washington School District at Margaret Mead and Samantha Smith Elementaries.
In April the Youth Education Committee will turn its attention to reading the applications for Eastside Audubon’s College Scholarship. One talented high school senior will earn a $5,000.00 college scholarship from Eastside Audubon. Stay tuned!