Saturday, October 25, 2014

The Beauty of the Black and White Warbler

One of my favorite migrating birds is the black and white warbler. I think it's because they're easy to spot! I get all confused with the yellowish and greenish warblers that are flying through right now en route to their wintering grounds. They look so similar, but the black and white warbler stands out! At this time of year, the black and white warbler is heading to northern South America. What a long trip for a tiny bird! Be safe little warbler.

The black-and-white warbler is the only member of the genus Mniotilta, which means “moss-plucking” and refers to the bird’s habit of probing for insects. It you know what a nuthatch is, well, this bird behaves a lot like a nuthatch, creeping up and down tree trunks and along limbs while probing between bark fissures in search of insects and grubs. With unusually long hind toes and claws, these birds are well adapted to climbing on tree bark. Ya gotta love those ADAPTATIONS!

Interestingly, these warblers build their nests on the ground—at the base of a tree, rock, stump, or fallen log, or under a bush or shrub.

While still pretty common, black and white warblers are slowly declining in population mostly because of habitat fragmentation. And because they migrate at night, they frequently crash into windows, towers and wind turbines. Also as insect eaters, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning.To hear its beautiful song, CLICK HERE

Sunday, October 19, 2014

A Sense of Wonder Continues........


        It has been a while since I've written on the blog. Starting at a new school has occupied a lot of my time.
          I also wondered whether or not to continue the blog as it was so connected to my time as a teacher at P.S. 230, a school that has shaped me as an educator and whose students will always be close to my heart.
          I believe in the interconnectedness of everything, so the blog will continue--preserving the link I already share with former students at P.S. 230 and establishing a relationship with my new students at The Brooklyn School of Inquiry.
          So, if you already know me from P.S. 230, check in from time to time and if you are new to the blog, welcome. Visit often and indulge in a sense of wonder.