On Friday morning Adeline brought in several boxes, which inspired a spontaneous morning of box creations.    We raided the school recycling bin and children spent the first hour of the day making rocket ships, jet packs, horse stables and more.  They did a wonderful job of helping each other and working together.  It was a fantastic way to spend a rainy Friday morning!

We had our first mini-fire at ECO this week.  We gathered "mouse tails", the tiniest sticks used for starting a fire, to make tea in Lindsey's Kelly Kettle.  This was a really nice way to wrap up our morning in the woods, and kindergarteners did a remarkable job of remembering expectations around our safety circle.

Following is some information about an opportunity for families of children who participate in ECO.
Friday October 16th is ECO Bird Banding Night at North Branch Nature Center!

From 7-11 p.m. we will be banding Northern Saw Whet Owls during their fall migration.

Topping the scales at 4-5 oz, and standing as tall as a red squirrel, these owls are the cutest fluff balls to grace the sky. Where mice and other small mammals are concerned, however, this fierce, silent owl is anything but cute. The banding demonstration is led by NBNC staff and there will be a warming fire nearby.

 

Saw Whet Owls migrate individually but follow the weather pattern of the cool weather during the dark moon at this time of year. In order to band the birds, naturalists set up a net that catches them during their nighttime migration, and handle them carefully to put a nearly weightless band around the ankle. You are welcome to join us for this special banding session for ECO students and their families.