Sometimes there are
unexpected bonuses when doing outdoor presentations!
Last Fall WBS volunteer (and
current staff member) Teresa Aldrich and I
presented a program to two school groups and the general public to help
celebrate the Washington, Missouri, River Festival.
WBS Volunteer (and current staff member) Teresa Aldrich and Dawn, the Barn Owl.
The setting was a
gorgeous Fall day in a grassy area of Washington Riverfront Park alongside the
Missouri River. Although the day
was a bit breezy and on the chilly side, it was a perfect Fall day in a
beautiful setting.
Before the program, as
we were getting our bird carrying containers into position on a picnic bench,
we noted the crowd milling about near the river. School children were stopping by various booths and
listening to educators talk about the importance of clean water, litter removal
and recycling.
There was a barge moored
at the bank that was collecting trash and recycling from the rivers edge. The
public was encouraged to help remove these unsightly items from the grassy area
and from among native plants that line the riverbank. You could see all
of the rusty metal that had already been collected, and was piling up on the
barge.
The “Turtle Lady” from
Turtle and Tortoise Society 314-374-1389
was there with some of her patients, which included Box Turtles and Snapping
Turtles.
All in all there were
wonderful outdoor education opportunities going on all around.
As Teresa and I were
almost ready for our program we glanced toward the river and saw a Bald Eagle
fly from the far bank and course up river. Then we saw what looked like a raft
of ducks floating on the Missouri River. The Ducks it turned out were American
Coots—a species of diving duck. Floating on the water a Coot looks like a Black
bird (Duck like) with a white beak.
There were about 40
Coots in this flock, and the Bald Eagle had spotted them. Battling the wind the Bald Eagle flew
right for them. As the eagle swooped toward the Coots the ducks dove under water
for just enough seconds for the Bald Eagle to miss. The Bald Eagle was strong
enough to make four tries at the Coots, even with the wind, and the Coots drifting
in the current.
This hovering and diving
lasted about a minute and a half. I was amazed at the strength of the Eagle to
make so many swipes at the Coots before it gave up and let the wind blow him
(or her) back toward the trees on the far shore .
All of this action took
place in the couple of minutes leading up to our presentation, and in clear
view of the crowds of people milling around on the riverbank.
Once we started the
formal presentation about our Raptors and their relation to the environment, I
asked how many kids were able to notice and enjoy the Eagle trying to catch the
other birds on the river. About two thirds of the children saw the action.
The school children that
attended our program were from Our Lady of Lourdes and a second school named
St. Francis Borgia. Some of the kids were from the school that was so close that
they were able to enjoy the Fall day and walk from the school to the Riverside
Park. Hopefully the children who
saw the tableaux will remember the sight for many years to come. Whether they realized it or not, they
were witnesses to a sight rarely seen by most people.
As it turned out there
were many unexpected benefits to having such an event outside. Consider having World Bird Sanctuary fly
birds at your next Outdoor Festival.
For information about the many different presentations available from
the World Bird Sanctuary Click here, or call 636-225-4390, Ext. 0.
