MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

2022 MSU Tollgate 4-H Winged Wonders Traveling Camp

Tollgate banded together with Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, Michigan to offer Winged Wonder, an exploration of wild and domestic birds for ages 10-13 through interactive, hands-on science activities. Like ornithologists, we studied birds and their amazing feats as we hiked the fields and forests of MSU Tollgate Farm, KBS, and the Corey Marsh Ecological Center. 

We began the week with lots of farm bird adventures. Campers were split into four bird groups: Great Blue Herons, Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks and Ravens. Each camper also chose one of 16 bird species to research and learn its calls. We enjoyed making deviled eggs for snack led by Ms. Archis and we tie-dyed t-shirts, met our chickens and heritage duck breed up close and personal, and cared for them with feed and water. We observed their natural behaviors and kept a keen lookout for any abnormal behavior. We learned how to hold a chicken and about the preening gland on the ducks which allows them to clean and waterproof their body covering by preening.

On Day 2, we boarded a bus and headed to the Kellogg Biological Station and Bird Sanctuary in Hickory Corners, MI! The bus arrived at KBS just in time for lunch after which we hiked to Spruce Lodge. Ms. Misty gave us an introduction to the Bird Sanctuary and how it helped reintroduce two bird species in Michigan: the Canada Goose and the Trumpeter Swan.  Leader Elliot Nelson reviewed some basic binocular procedures with Binoculars 101 and the Bird Zipline. Trekking around the Lake Loop, we used our scouting skills with binoculars to find replicas of our 16 bird species. Especially fun was using the bird guides and the Merlin app to narrow down the species and identify each bird.

Some birds were harder to spot than others, like the hummingbird, which was very small and blended in with the surrounding plants, but the campers worked together and used the Merlin ID app to accurately identify them. By the end, the campers didn’t even need the app! Everyone had fun and saw lots of other animals along the way, like dragonflies, a moth, a snapping turtle, a mallard mom and ducklings, monarch butterflies, Canada geese, and many swans. 

The group returned to Spruce Lodge where they were surprised with a visit by Toby the Red-Tailed Hawk (pictured above)! Avian  caretaker Brandon told us Toby only weighs 3.5 pounds (though she looks much heavier!) because her body mass consists mostly of feathers. They also talked to us about the characteristics that make a bird a bird - wings, beak, feet with talons, hollow bones, and laying eggs. After more birding, we ended the day with a make-your-own-burrito dinner, campfire, s’mores, games, and a night hike.

Day 3 began with an early morning birding hike for those who accepted the challenge. After breakfast-on-the-go, campers examined several feathers through microscopes and drew what they observed in their Winged Wonders journals and tried to match the specimens with others’ drawings. After this, campers fished the lake in hopes of catching fish about 8 inches or longer to feed to the bald eagles who reside at the sanctuary. Fishing was a highlight with 62 fish of combined 3 different species caught. Some of these fish would be fed fresh to the eagles and some frozen for later!

An afternoon visit to Windmill Island included swimming, water games, and lunch. On the walk back, campers explored the challenges migratory birds face on their journeys. Next, campers in their bird groups researched facts about their group’s bird  and built life-size nests. Using large wooden feathers and eggs props, they created skits to educate others about their birds and did run-throughs of each of their skits for the rest of the WW camp. Another night hike this night but a shorter one, this time to revisit the eagles and see if they’d eaten any of the gift fish. The answer is no! While they’d poked at it, they hadn’t actually eaten any after the full day.

Day 4 Thursday began with an early wake-up to pack up luggage and tents and make it to Spruce Lodge by 8am with some birding observations along the way. After a fun handshake game and a brief stop at the visitor center gift shop, campers boarded the bus to head to the Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center. At Corey Marsh, we met with Dr. Jen Owens and Kristy Taylor to see birds that had been netted that morning. We proceeded to watch Dr. Owens record data about the birds. She would remove any ticks she found and place them in small vials to be sent to campus for ID and disease monitoring. Other things Dr. Owens would look for is bare ‘brood patches’ on the bird’s chest which would signify the bird has or has had young.

Some of the bird species captured, banded, and released are female cardinal, yellow-throated warbler, juvenile yellow-throated warble, Easter bluebird. Campers also walked out to the marsh which was mostly comprised of reed canary grass, and invasive species, to check the cavity nesting boxes to see the young. Fun and games, smiles, and sleep filled the rest of the bus ride back to Tollgate.

Day 5 Friday was a very full final day of camp beginning with the Winged Wonders leading flag ceremony after which they Flap to the Future with an activity in which they designed a futuristic habitat and then a bird that would do well in that habitat. After drawing their habitat and bird, they were able to create a model of the bird out of clay, feather, markers, and googly eyes. Before lunch, campers made delicious veggie bird nests out of ingredients below. How fitting after their dive into nest building of their birds.

Our final afternoon at camp consisted of dissecting owl pellets, playing ‘Where’s My Chicken?’ and ‘Wrens and Jays’, exploring habitat and beak adaptions with Geeked about Beaks, and competing in an obstacle course designed by our stewards to illustrate the many challenges birds face during migration.

Campers performed their skits – first the Bald Eagles followed by the Ravens, Red-tailed Hawks, and Great Blue Herons. All in all, Winged Wonders camper flew far and wide as they embraced adventures in this sleep-away camp and nature-based birding experience!

Check out the recipe and pictures below!

2022 Tollgate Farm Winged Wonders Camp Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XVUxg2Vx8Y4AjyK69

Veggie Bird Nests

• 2 leeks, shredded
• ¼ head of cabbage, shredded
• 4-5 medium potatoes
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions: In a large bowl, toss leeks, cabbage and potatoes to combine. Squeeze firmly 5-6 times to slightly wilt them and drain excess liquid. Add the eggs, flour, salt and pepper and mix until well coated. Next heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, place as many mini “bird nests” (about two and a half inches in diameter) on the cooking surface as possible. Cook four minutes on each side until a deep golden brown.