It was so nice to get back into the woods for ECO on Wednesday.   We focused on owls, beginning our day by thinking about the challenges owls face in getting food in the winter.  Much of what they eat is under the snow and with a winter like the one we've just had there is be a lot of snow.  At this time of year it is apt to be pretty crusty.  Can you imagine breaking through that crust with a beak to find food?

We also learned that barred owls begin nesting in late March and early April.  Once we were in the forest children became barred owls, working in small groups to prepare a nest that would be soft and warm (we learned owls nest in tree cavities, but we created our nests on the ground).  Once the nests were made children were given several "eggs".  While owl eggs are typically white, ours were highly visible yellow and blue ice cubes.  Of course once the eggs are in the nest they need to be protected, but owls also need to eat.  While some children gaurded the nest, others needed to fly about in search of food for themselves and their mates.  Leaving the nest unprotected could result in lost eggs.  There was lots of cooperation and team work on display as children engaged in this activity for our entire time in the forest.