LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – “Wow!” “Holy moly!” “I found a skull!” were among the exclamations uttered by the eight kids gathered around a table at Rodman Preserve this summer where they were treated to the experience of dissecting owl pellets.
The children were participating in a summer children’s nature education program presented by the Lake County Land Trust at its Rodman Preserve Nature Center.
Programs are held on the third Saturday of the month from June through September.
Teaching the youngsters is Elaine Mansell, a retired teacher and former leader of the Junior Ranger program at the Clear Lake State Park.
Children learn about the natural habitats of Lake County, enjoy walks and use both binoculars and microscopes.
At the July program Mansell had the group dissect owl pellets, the formation of fur and debris that is regurgitated by owls after eating their prey.
The pellets contain such treasures as animal bones, including skulls, and identifiable parts of the little creatures that owls feast upon.
Kids were thrilled to find the remains of voles, mice, and even small birds and were able to identify them by matching them up with pictures on a chart provided by Mansell.
Next, the various items were glued to a piece of paper for the children to take home.
The children’s program is scheduled this month for Saturday, Aug. 17, and will feature an archeology talk, walk and bead-making presented by Dr. John Parker.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024 or Elaine Mansell at 707-263-1637. The program will start at 9 a.m.
The Lake County Land Trust is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Lake County’s wetlands, creeks, oak woodlands and other important open spaces.
For more information about the land trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .
The Rodman Preserve and Nature Education Center is located at 6350 Westlake Road, Lakeport.