June 2013 Issue - Cape Cod Academy

JUNE 2013Seventh GradeBird WatchingCompetition,con’t.Miles GoldenbergMany students have evenfound more species thanshe and Mr. Crowell. Asspring arrives, the seventhgraders also observenatural changes in a plotof land. They go out everyweek for fifteen minutesand use their senses todiscern what has changed.When they do so, theopportunity comes to snapsome bird pictures. As aclass, they have taken twofield trips to go birding,one to Provincetown andthe other to MassAudubon, where theywent hiking.We asked Briannah Rice, avery excited Team Crowellmember, what she thoughtof the competition. Shereplied that she was“enjoying it; it’s reallyfun!” She wants to seeboth the greater and lesserblack-backed gulls and acommon sanderling.According to Briannah, atleast 120 species have beenphotographed by thegrade. Mrs. Albis wasright – it’s a new record,and the competition isn’teven over yet! ChristianLimburg, who’s on TeamAlbis, shared herenthusiasm. He addedthat students really lovethe projects. Not only arethey fun, but they helpthem to become moreobservant. Abi Balkin andMichelle Guo say that “itis a great opportunity toopen up to what is aroundus.”Currently, the student whohas photographed themost birds is ZacharyRoman. He’s seen at leastninety three species! Zachsays his favorite bird is themerlin. He is part of TeamCrowell, which is in thelead for now.Mr. Crowell says that “thecompetition will be close.”