The Birds- The best time to observe birds is in the early morning before it gets too hot. Marian Banks Nature Trail provides habitat for a variety bird species. On an average morning on the trail it is very common to see or hear the...
If you are very lucky you may find a...
Green-backed
Heron-
This bird was spotted one morning
in June fishing in the pond near the trail. It has orange or
yellow legs with a brown head and neck. Its wings are
greenish. The Green-backed Heron feeds on small
fish, amphibians, insects, earthworms, snakes and even small
mammels. Although it has a long neck, it also
has the ability to contract its neck so much that it appears
its head grows straight out from its shoulders. This
stretching motion is used to help swallow large
prey!!!
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These are the bones that were found in an owl pellet from a Screech Owl. Owls are carnivores meaning they eat meat. When an owl eats a mouse, it will usually swallow it almost whole. The owls meal will sit in a sac called the ventriculus where digestive juices will liquify anything digestable. Owl's however can not digest the bones, teeth, feathers or fur of their prey, so they cough them up in what is called an "owl pellet". These are the bones of a shrew. A shrew looks similar to a mouse, but it carnivorous and has very sharp teeth.. |
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A special thanks to Professor David Titus of Wesleyan University for all his help in identifying birds!
The two most common frogs found in the pond and stream are the Bullfrog and the Green Frog.
Green Frog- THe green frog is green or greenish-brown. It is identified by its large external eardrums and by the distinct ridges along its back. The green frog's upper lip is usually green, and its belly is often white with a dark pattern of lines and spots. The voice of the green frog sound similar to the "twang" a single string of a banjo.
Bullfrog- Bullfrogs are the largest frogs in North America growing up to eight inches in length. They are are olive-brownish color with brown spots over their body. Their voice is deep pitched and often sounds like "jug-o-rum". They will eat insects, crayfish, fish and the large bulfrogs have been know to eat small birds and snakes. Unlike the green frog, the bullfrog does not have ridges along its back.
Animal Prints- After a nice rainstorm its fun to go outside and look for animal foot prints in the mud. Can you identify what kinds of animals left these footprints? (Use the clues for help!!!)
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My fur is soft I have four legs |
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Although these prints It makes me sad But today I go to the
park |
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I am nocturnal I have long fingers Although I am cute |
