The "Short" Stations
Half-day field studies provide the challenge of giving the students an opportunity to experience many of the hands-on "props," or dead animal parts (which hypothetically could be done in a classroom), while also giving them enough time to learn about wildlife-related concepts in the very forest in which they are taking place.
The happy medium is the "short" station model. Each field study group learns just one of the stations below, before embarking on the hike. The stations include some combination of concept models, bird parts, pelts, skulls, horns, antlers, live animals, and other specimens. After spending 20 minutes with one category of animals and the associated props, the students are responsible for applying that information throughout their hike, and for sharing that information with other learning groups they encounter along the way via The Shaker Battle Game.
The happy medium is the "short" station model. Each field study group learns just one of the stations below, before embarking on the hike. The stations include some combination of concept models, bird parts, pelts, skulls, horns, antlers, live animals, and other specimens. After spending 20 minutes with one category of animals and the associated props, the students are responsible for applying that information throughout their hike, and for sharing that information with other learning groups they encounter along the way via The Shaker Battle Game.
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Birds of Prey
These top predators (informally called "raptors") hunt vertebrates (including other birds) primarily in flight, using their strong talons and sharp beaks. Bald Eagle, Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Merlin, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk |
Canines & Felines
Wild members of of the family Canidae (dogs and dog-like carnivores) and the family Felidae (cats and cat-like carnivores) are among the top predators in our forest. Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Gray Fox, Gray Wolf, Red Fox |
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Mustelidae & Mephitidae The stinky mammals: Mustelidae (the weasel family) and Mephitidae (the skunk family) both have the power to secrete an intense foul odor. American Badger, Ermine, Fisher, Marten, Mink, River Otter, Short-tailed Weasel, Spotted Skunk, Striped Skunk |
Passerines More than half of all bird species belong to the order Passeriformes, and are sometimes (misleadingly) known as perching birds or songbirds. American Crow, American Robin, Goose* Common Raven, European Starling, Ostrich*, Steller's Jay, Varied Thrush, Winter Wren (* = not a passerine) |
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Primarily Prey Predators are animals that hunt and kill another organism for food. Prey are those "other organisms," or, the food. Prey animals may also be predators. Bighorn Sheep, Brush Rabbit, Coast Mole, Dall Sheep, Deer Mouse, Elk, Mule Deer, Townsend's Chipmunk, White-tailed Deer |
Reptiles & Amphibians Though both tetrapod (four-footed, mostly) and exothermic (cold-blooded), reptiles and amphibians form two distinct groups with defining characteristics. Bullfrog, Northern Alligator Lizard, Pacific Treefrog, Red-Spotted Garter Snake, Rough-Skinned Newt, Rubber Boa, Sea Turtle |
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Rodents Mammals of the order Rodentia, with incisors (front teeth) that grow continuously and must be kept to a manageable size by gnawing on things. Aplodontia, Beaver, Flying Squirrel, Muskrat, Nutria, Porcupine |
Scavengers Animals that feed on dead and decaying matter. These animals may be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores, and may engage in scavenging in addition to other eating habits. Arthropods, Banana Slug, Clown Millipede, Giant Northwest Millipede, Long-Faced Carabid, Opossum, Raccoon, Turkey Vulture |
