Nature camp: Bluebird makes an appearance

HOLDEN – Last week was the first week of Audubon Nature Day Camp, for local children ages 6 and 7 at Field’s Pond Nature Center. Their enthusiasm and excitement was contagious.

One day the children were walking with their counselors along the mowed trails in the field. A snowshoe hare was eating delectable plants in low grass near the trail. At first, only its ears and head were visible. Then it rose up on its hind legs and the children saw all of it. Next, the hare turned its attention to eating again.

“Let’s walk very slowly and quietly towards it, and see how close we can get,” said a counselor. The children were totally quiet and absorbed in watching the hare. They advanced v-e-r-y slowly until the hare was within 8 feet.

Then, lippity lip, away it hopped, showing the children its white tail and its big “snowshoe” (in winter) hind feet.

Another day, the children learned how to use binoculars, not an easy feat. It was reminiscent of teaching children how to tie their shoes – much more complicated than it seemed. After the arduous lesson, out everyone went to look for birds.

Right away, the center’s resident bluebird showed up. Luckily, it stayed in view quite a while, showing its bright sky-blue back, then turned to show its orange chest and white belly. It couldn’t have been more cooperative as the children struggled with their binoculars. Finally we heard young voices saying, “Ooooh,” “I can see it!” “Oh! It’s really blue!”

Other colorful birds impressed them that day – bright yellow goldfinches and red-winged blackbirds.

Frogs were thrilling finds, too. Enormous bullfrogs were in residence in the pond. One was sitting on a lily pad, weighing it an inch down in the water.

In the field, as children scootched down to study the antennae of slugs, they found several of the tiniest frogs their counselors had ever seen -spring peepers less than three-eighths of an inch long. They must have changed from being tadpoles only recently.

The child-naturalists were wonderful. If you want to feel young, introduce a child to nature. The last week of camp, Aug. 7-11, is also for children age 6-7. Call 989-2591 to register or to obtain more information.