Geocashing!

Thank you to Mr. Nelson and Sabina for taking the class Geocashing.  It was very exciting to use the GPS units to navigate through Maple Ridge Park.  Mr. Nelson did a fabulous job in hiding a special class Geocash for us to find.  We had to use directions, measurement and our observation techniques to find the 'cash'.

Of course 'The Hill' continues to be a special place for our class to visit.  Each time we go to 'The Hill' we start out with our listening spot.  Each student has chosen a special spot to return to.  They have drawn and make observations of their listening spot.  Here are some samples of their listening spots...

We were very lucky to have Mrs. McClelland spot a very special plant in B.C. forests, Trillium.  They are indigenous to our forests and are protected by law.  You are not allowed to pick or disturb these flowers both on public and private land!

 

Our Garden and Monkey and Me Pages have been updated!!!

Raptor Ridge: Stomper and Zippy Visit

If you are interested in seeing other Raptors from Raptors Ridge go to Amsterdam Greenhouse Center Saturday March 17th at 10:30am!  It's free to see them up close! If you have older children interested in Owls you will want to go and see Kim and Karen as they may have some opportunity for them.

Owls are amazing animals and we learned so many amazing facts.  Did you know that Owls are found on all continents except Antarctica?  They can fly silently through the air.  Their ears are not exactly across from each other so they can triangulate where a sound is coming from.  Have you ever wondered why Owls can move their heads so far around unlike us?  Well its because they can not move their eyeballs like we can so they have to move their heads to see from side to side.  And did you know that Owls are the only birds with their eyes facing forward like ours?

We also learned what the most common causes that have put Owls on the "Watch List" for endangered animals:

#1 is cars!  People throw garbage out of their cars.  How does this affect Owls?  Well, it is what the garbage (especially biodegradable) attracts.  The garbage attracts mice and what do Owls eat... MICE.  So when they swoop down to catch the mouse/rodent they get hit cars :(

#2 is rat poison!  People use poison to get rid of rodents, but who eats the rodents... Owls do.  An alternative is traps for the rodents.

What do you do if you ever see a Raptor in need of help.  Phone a wildlife rescue number to let them know so trained people can help them.  Kim from Raptors Ridge with several others just recently saved a Bald Eagle.  Kim said the most important thing the lady did to save this bird was to keep an eye from a distance so the rescuers could come and find it.  Covering the bird with a blanket will keep it calm.

Video on Stomper:  http://youtu.be/Fg-Vf7XvFxw

Video on Zippy:  http://youtu.be/Dna3i6uMaLI

Video on Owl Joke: http://youtu.be/VSzgO2fTru0

Stomper stretching her wings!

Zippy showing off his pretend eyes at the back to scare off predators!

When Zippy was found his right wing was crushed and had to be removed.  Now he is an Educational Owl.

After Spring Break we still have some Owl Pellets (from Raptors Ridge) to dissect!!!  Thank you to Nicolas' Mom and Dad for sending in gloves and gowns for us to wear like real SCIENTISTS!  We will keep you posted...