Mr. Bastos Easton High School Classes Enjoy Sunny Pickering Days

On May 29th and June 3rd, Mr. Bastos Biology classes came out to enjoy some
sunny days on the creek. Bird species were abound with sightings of Tree
Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Grackles, Peewees, Common
Yellowthroats, Catbirds, Osprey, Eagles, Indigo Buntings, Bluebirds, Brown
Thrashers, Orchard Orioles, Killdeer and baby Barn Swallows. Other animals
were out and about. Groups saw a Five-lined Skink and a Broadhead Skink,
Northern Water Snakes, Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels, Leopard Frogs and
Fowler¹s Toads, and a Black Rat Snake feasting on a Carolina Wren. Down at
the dock Rockfish and Pumpkinseed were caught. And as groups were seining
they netted Comb jelly, Atlantic Silverside, Mummichog, Grass Shrimp, a
little American Shad and a Needlefish!

Ms. Johnson's Digital Harbor High School class enjoys a Day on the Bay

19 Digital Harbor High School students enjoyed a beautiful day at North Point State Park bird watching, fishing and seining. Orchard orioles, black and white warblers, a number of brown headed cowbirds and an osprey were reported as some of the kids' favorite birds of the day. On the water, the seine nets were hauling in great numbers of Bay anchovies and Atlantic silversides, as well as a few Pumpkinseeds and White perch.

A longer afternoon habitat hike gave the students a chance to explore further into North Point. The students were able to notice some May apples starting to fruit and they were shown how to tell the difference between a number of the different Oaks that are popular in the Park. As the students got further into the woods, two students got to personally experience some of the mud that still remained from the recent rains- another great reason to go exploring!

Northwestern Elementary 5th Graders Learn from Mardela High Biology Students

Friday, May 15th, 41 Fifth Grade and AP Biology students from Wicomico
County came to Pickering Creek. Despite the mosquitoes and being humid, we
had a fun-filled day. Each high school student mentored three-six elementary
school students. The mentors lead their mentees through binocular use, a
bird/habitat hike, journaling activities and fishing. Students caught two
White Perch and a Rockfish. Birders saw Gray Catbirds, Carolina Wren, Wood
Thrush, American Goldfinch, Turkey Vultures, baby Bluebirds and heard
woodpeckers throughout the forest. Lots of toads were seen throughout the
property, hopefully catching some of those mosquitoes. Everyone enjoyed the
day and one 5th grader exclaimed, ³This is the best field trip ever!².

Students from Patterson High face high winds at North Point

On the morning of May 14, a group of 22 Patterson High School students arrived at North Point State Park ready to explore. The wind was blowing strong and waves were crashing hard on the beach, however students did not allow these conditions to hold them back from making their field experience a successful one. A variety of birds were seen throughout the day, including the Baltimore oriole, orchard oriole, Carolina wren, tree swallow, purple martin, cormorant, herring gull, Eastern kingbird, mocking bird and starling. Ospreys were spotted as they glided over the waters edge, riding the wind. While the waters were rough, fish were caught! This group managed to catch white perch, Atlantic silversides, bay anchovies, and grass shrimp. Students look forward to sharing their experience and skills with elementary students from Highlandtown Elementary school in the beginning of June, during an outing at Patterson Park.

Saints Peter & Paul High School Students "Pass It On"

The Environmental Science students from Saints Peter & Paul came back out to
Pickering Creek on May 13th to pass on their birding and fishing knowledge
to the 4th graders of SSPP elementary school. It was a beautiful sunny day
to be out and about watching birds and fishing off of the dock. The group
first went through a teambuilding exercise where the 4th graders got to lead
their mentors through an obstacle course. While birding they spotted a Wood
Thrush sitting on her nest, Gray Catbirds and heard Red-eyed Vireos singing.
At the dock a Rockfish and a White Perch were caught. Afterward, the high
school students planted Redhead Grass in a sandy area of Pickering Creek.
They had propagated and raised the Redhead Grass in the classroom throughout
the school year.