We spent last Friday at the Elizabeth A. Morton Wildlife Refuge in Sag Harbor for this month's No Child Left Inside Program. It was a little chilly and overcast but that didn't stop us from having a great time. Ann Bell was kind enough to give us some awesome backpacks for the kids. They say "Let's Go Outside!" and encourage us to take advantage of all the beautiful nature spots we are lucky enough to explore here on the eastern end of Long Island. The goodies inside were a big hit with the kids, especially the compasses and notebooks. Most of the kids were sketching animals they saw along the trail and recording them in their notebooks! Check out the slideshow above to see for yourself...
The Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex is comprised of nine units across the Island which protect our native habitat. You may read more about them at their website here. At Morton we walked through sandy and rocky trails which brought us out onto the beach of Noyack and Little Peconic Bays. On a quiet day you may see deer, songbirds, osprey, piping plover, chickadee and small mammals. If you are very still a little winged friend may just land on your shoulder.
A few good books to read before, after or even during -settle down on a picnic blanket on the beach or cozy up on a tree canopied bench -your visit to the refuge:
An Egg Is Quiet written by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
(Check out this home learning blog out for some ideas on painting watercolor pictures of eggs with your kids)
Elsie's Bird written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by David Small
(for a review of this book check out this cool youth librarian's blog)
Sylvia and Bird written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner
(Check out her incredible website here)
The Robot and the Bluebird written and illustrated by David Lucas
(Check out this mom's blog that has great book reviews, crafting ideas and fun camping stuff)
