WEB Dubois takes over NPSP

Twenty-eight students from WEB Dubois High School braved the chill to visit NPSP Friday. The group had a very successful day catching many varieties of fish. Those included Atlantic Silversides, Striped Bass, Northern Pipefish, Pink Comb Jellies, Grass Shrimp, Striped Killifish and Bay Anchovies. It was a slow day for bird watching but the patience of students was rewarded when they spotted several American Robins, European Starlings, Blue Jays, Carolina Wrens and a Red-winged Blackbird. Their incredible energy made the trip an unforgetable one for all involved. The students left their impact on all of NPSP and returned to school with many stories and memories to share.

Digital Harbor Discovers North Point State Park

A day brings many surprises for Digital Harbor High School. An air temperature of 58 degrees and a water temperature of 53 meant lots of cold bodies playing in the water of North Point State Park. The cold weather didn't dampen any spirits, however, as the classes splashed around in the bay. Among the fish caught were Atlantic Silverside, Striped Killifish, Hard Shell Clams, Bay Anchovies and a White Perch. For many of these students it was their first time fishing but you wouldn't have known it from the way they were casting those lines. It was also a surprisingly abundant day for birds. They spotted American Robins, Double-crested Cormorants, a Great Blue Heron, Carolina Chickadees, Herring Gulls, Northern Flickers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Yellow-shafted Woodpeckers and Great Black-backed Gulls. The woods were alive with the sounds of crickets and Spring Peepers - the students even found a Box Turtle along a path observing the happenings! The students and teachers alike had a wonderful time and we at Audubon can't wait to have them back again for another visit.

ACCE Visits North Point State Park

October 8th, 2009Twelve juniors from ACCE came to check out thewonders of North Point State Park. A brisk morning turned into a beautiful afternoon, perfect for 'A Dy on the Bay'. The students were rewarded for their trip by catching several fish. Both seine nets and fishing rods were a BIG hit! By the end of the day they had seen, 20 Atlantic Silversides, 1 Striped Bass, 2 Grass Shrimp, 1 White Perch, 1 Sea Nettle, 9 Banded Killifish, 14 Bay Anchovies, 2 Clams, 1 Water Snake and over 40 Pink Comb Jellies. On the habitat walk they saw Ring-Billed Gulls, Tree Swallow, American Crows, a Great Blue Heron, a Double- Crested Cormorant, a Blue Jay and a Turkey Vulture. A few students even saw a fox hunting. The health of the bay was also tested using several water quality tests. Some of the tests are still being completed so come back for results! There were lots of laughs throughout the day and the kids looked truly excited.

Patterson High Students Enjoy a Day in the Shade at Herring Run Park

On the morning of June 10th, Mr. Smith's class from Patterson High gathered at Herring Run Park for a day of exploring. Throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, students observed a number of habitats. Armed with dip nets, they splashed through the stream. A number of aquatic species were caught, including scud, caddis flies, damselflies, stoneflies, sunfish, white suckers and black nosed dace. On the nature hike decomposers were everywhere! Every couple steps one could see earthworms, millipedes, centipedes, slugs and beetles. The forest was filled with bird songs, however our feathered friends were not easy to spot. Students learned about nonnative and invasive species, like bamboo and English ivy, and the damage they can cause to a habitat. After the program, students celebrated the end of the school year with a cookout in the park.