We went on a virtual field trip to the Richmond Nature Park!
We learned that in order for animals to survive during winter time they either need to adapt to their environment or migrate to a warmer place. We did a case study on two animals: Snow Geese and Coyotes. We learned that Snow Geese migrate to a small island off of Russia (Wrangel Island) during the Spring/ Summer to lay their eggs. The main reason why Snow Geese migrate to an island in Russia is because in Canada we have too many predators that would like to eat Snow Geese eggs (example: racoons, birds, eagles, and humans). Wrangel Island only has two predators that like to eat their eggs 1) Arctic fox and 2) Eagles. The other animal that we studied was a Coyote. Coyotes need to adapt to their changing environment in winter by growing a thick coat of fur to keep them warm. In the Spring/ Summer time they will shed off their coat by rubbing up against a thick bush or a tree. During warmer seasons like Spring and Summer, Coyotes like to eat mice, rabbits, rats, and berries. During the winter time Coyotes have a hard time finding food to eat. They will sometimes eat garbage or other family animals if food options are limited.
Gloria, our wild life instructor, showed us a Taxidermy coyote, adult snow goose, and a gosling. Attached below are some of the animals that we saw!
(Gloria showed us how we can tell the difference between a coyote vs. a dog . Most coyotes have a white mouth. Coyotes have pointy ears like a triangle where as dogs have floppy ears. Coyotes have a long bushy tail and at the bottom of the tail is a black tip)
(Coyote Paw- Coyotes often have long black pointy claws and white feet)
(Picture of a coyote in the Summer time versus the winter time)
(Coyote skull)
We made lots of connections to the outside world!
” Wow! That skull looks like a dinosaur bone.”- Sage
“Animals cannot put on winter coats if they are cold”- Natalie
“Those geese must get tired if they have to fly all the way to Russia!”- Kudus
“When we see bugs and animals we should be kind to them and not hurt them”- David
“I did not know that coyotes like to eat berries! I like to eat berries too!”- Alice
Community Walk
**We will be switching our community Nature Walks to Monday mornings from our usual Wednesdays due to supervision changes. I am excited that we will be able to continue these adventures. I am hoping the weather will continue to improve. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather as we will be venturing out rain or shine.**
