BEC: The Cave Dwellers listen for bird language at Squires Lake

Spring is sprung; the grass is riz. 

I wonder where the boidies is. 

The boid is on the wing. 

Don’t be absoid; the wing is on the boid.

Afraid I can’t take credit for that piece of fine poetry (although I do hail from Brooklyn, and the poem is apparently sometimes called the Brooklyn (or Bronx) National Anthem…note the accent - “boid” rather than bird). Regardless, it springs to mind (pardon the pun) as I reflect on the Cave Dwellers’ outing on Sunday. It was a fine spring day indeed as we started up the short climb to Squires Lake. 

Relating bird calls heard during our sit spot

The poem also relates because the Cave Dwellers’ skills focus for this season is tracking and, wait for it - bird language! So, after handing out jobs, the mentors launched right into a sit spot with a request that the boys listen for bird chatter. And, despite the fact that I asked them to do that within spitting distance of a small waterfall that dominated the aural scene, several boys returned to our circle relating what they’d heard from the trees and skies. The mentors incorporated their reports into an introduction to the five “voices” of bird language - Song, Companion Calling, Juvenile Begging, Aggression and Alarm. Click here for more information on this fascinating topic. 

A different approach, this idea of having a sit spot early in the outing. Of late, I’ve been planning them for toward the end of the outing so the boys can reflect on what had occurred that day. A decent idea, but time often slips away and we lose this valuable “Core Routine”. So, this time we tried doing it early. It went well.

Tracking Squires Lake wildlife

With our new awareness of our feathered friends fresh in our minds, we set out around the lake toward the beaver pond at the south end. Before long, we found ourselves in game mode. A few games of Hide! to get the stealth meter surging and we were ready for Spider’s Web. Unfortunately, as it turned out, Spider’s Web was not ready for us. Our first attempt was under way about 15 minutes when our spider was alerted to the fact that we were playing on private property, not the park land we assumed we were occupying. A little embarrassing, perhaps, but also an opportunity to model for the boys one of our values as represented by our mottos - “Walk Your Talk”. The motto focuses on acting with integrity, on letting that quiet voice inside be your guide to doing the right thing. So mentor Brian had a brief conversation with the property owner, explained that we were unaware we were on her property, apologized and led a retreat to find a more suitable location. 

Along the way, we stopped to examine the wildlife in the lake. Well, some of it was wild - the garter snake the boys found, however, was quite dead. Not so for the frogs, tadpoles and chattering birds we observed. Squires Lake is a natural wonderland that rewards those who take the time to slow down to take it in. 

The lure of a complete game of Spider’s Web drew us back off-trail (in the park this time) and down a short but steep embankment. What appeared at first glance to be a good Spider’s Web course proved to be anything but after we examined the area more closely and discovered multiple areas of standing water. I guess the drop in the level of the land should’ve tipped up off to the likely presence of water. 

Poor creature - dead!

This was another opportunity to put a time-honored Explorers Club motto into action - “Turn problems into possibilities” - what may look like a problem can transform into a possibility. So the mentors introduced a new game (not sure of the name) that involves a blindfolded explorer who has a “prize” to protect. When other forest creatures (explorers) attempt to creep close enough to steal the prize, the protector listens for signs of their approach and points to the source of the sounds. It is eye-opening to see how well a boy can listen when he can’t see and he has something of (perceived) value to protect. In fact, none of the boys was able to capture the prize. 

Connecting with nature and group-mates

More significant than the outcome of the game to me was the way the Cave Dwellers handled the disappointment of not playing their favorite game. They were resilient; they were flexible; they were understanding and open to trying something new and different. All signs of individual and group maturation. This group has been together for several seasons now; they appear to get along well and can rally as a group to make the most of their situation. You should be proud of your explorer.

We have more photos here. Our next meeting is a service outing at Connelly Creek on Saturday, May 14th, from 10:30-2:30pm. Note the new drop-off/pick-up location described on the group’s site here.