Hawk vs. Chickens

During 7th period a biological event of avian proportions played out in the Back 40. Coach Moore noticed a Red tailed hawk perched on the chicken tractor. Mr. Brooks students were next on the scene. I noticed the hullaballoo outside my window as Dirk and some of his classmates were trying their best to protect the chickens. I grabbed my trusty digital and captured these images.

He (she?) patiently waited for another chance at the chickens. It was an amazing site as he would glide from tree branch to post to light fixture and back again. Except when Dirk flailed his arms, the hawk (quickly tagged Tony) seemed oblivious to the excited human spectators. I got within five feet- close enough.

 Journalism/photography teacher, Ms. Weber, noticed the commotion and came running. She shared these two great photos.

In the end two chickens suffered minor injuries, the hawk settled for a mockingbird, and a couple of dozen humans got a rare up close view of a top predator pursuing prey.

A Semester's Difference

Our Green Tech electives are semester long. In a mere 16 weeks students in Mr. Brooks's classes have made a huge impact on our campus.  

Chickens

Underused picnic tables were relocated to the front of the schools. This left an empty concrete pad in a protected alcove close to water and electricity. Mr. Brooks reclaimed this area and relocated the Frisby coop to offer better lodging for our layers. Next semester should see the debut of ChickenCam.

Notice the resemblance?

Vermiculture

Working with Keep Austin Beautiful students began an indoor composting station that employs red wigglers to break down food scraps and strips of discarded newsprint. Students have learned that reducing waste is not enough. We have to find ways to harvest the nutrients in the waste that we still generate.

Expansion of Food Production

Another collaborative effort doubled the capacity of our raised vegetable gardens. Students also improved the structure of the protective cold frames. Already students have munched on chard, kale, spinach, parsley, and cilantro. Modeling local organic food production is not just targeted for our students, but the community as well.

 Sheet Mulching

The former site of the chicken enclosure is being revitalizes with cardboard, leaf mold and leftover soils from this semester's projects. Students bravely battled gusting winds often chasing flatted boxes across the back courtyard. The Frisby chicken tractors are still getting a lot of use.

 Herb Spiral 

Another collaborative effort combined surplus soils with Lake Travis driftwood, cemetery stones, and leftover building materials in a coiled bed for growing herbs.

Cafeteria Composting

Mr. Brooks's student collect cafeteria waste daily. They are using several composting methods including a compost tumbler, a compost tea maker, and wooden bins made by Mr. Scott's students.

As we wind down the Fall semester, we are gearing up for plenty of  green activity in the spring.

Walking in the Wild

We have been gardening with native plants on campus since the spring of 2000. This has afforded us  countless cool encounters with wildlife. But, heading out on our nearby woodlands trail always seems to provide a little extra magic. Today during 8th period was no exception.
Ostensibly we were searching for invasive species, but we also noticed a variety of seed types we have been studying. We identified the fiercely invasive Chinaberry by its clusters of yellow drupes before we even reached the trailhead.  Once on the trail, fortunately, we did not find any more.

April showed her classmates how to recognize (and harvest) wild onions. She found these where the trail crosses Williamson Creek.

On our return trip taking a different trail spur, Ashley asked me why the prickly pear was white and bumpy. I had walked right past it. We backtracked and had a teachable moment. The white bumps are a colony of cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). The eggs and bodies contain carminic acid which was used by Mayans and Aztecs as a crimson dye for textiles and food coloring. It is sometimes used as a food additive today.

Yet another natural wonder awaited us near the back bike racks on campus. What murdered the mockingbird, and why did it leave the wings hanging in a Bois d'Arc sapling? 

Speculations included an eagle, hawk, dog(?), and an owl. The general consensus was an owl. Students also surmised that since the wings were still moveable, it was a recent kill. They noted a spray of feathers on the ground as well. Could it have flown into the tree? Where is the body? the head?

Moral of the lesson: There's a lot of cool stuff outside.