2009 Scholarship Contest Winners Chosen

The board of Downeast Audubon is pleased to announce the winners of the essay contest in which they described their favorite bird experience. Eight students from Hancock County won full scholarships worth $525 each to Tanglewood Summer Youth Camp for a week this July in Lincolnville, ME.

The scholarships were funded by Bird-a-thon ’08.
The winners of the two highest scoring essays also won National Geographic’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America and will be published here as well as in our summer newsletter. Congratulations to all!

Highest Scorers:

Emma Richardson, Age 11 Blue Hill
Maya Jacques, Age 10 Surry

Winners:

Emily Coleman, Age 11 Surry
Amee Piskura, Age 10 Orland
Morgan Webber, Age 11 Penobscot
Jessica Lindsay, Age 10 Hancock
Clover Slagle Age 12 Penobscot
Angel Lindsay Age 12 Hancock

My Magical Moment
By Emma Richardson

A couple of years ago, I read a board game card with information on a chickadee. Not even caring that it was worth five points, I was fascinated with the information. I read aloud with interest, “The Black-capped Chickadee can be easily trained with care, time, and patience.” I thought to myself, “Wow!” “Hey,” I said to my friend, “Do you want to try this?” After he answered with an enthusiastic “Yes”, we flew down the stairs, as if we had our own wings. As we put on our snow clothes, my mind was full of thoughts, like: Will this work? What will happen? And, I hope that I don’t run out of patience! I went down the steps leading to the basement so I could fetch some sunflower seeds.

As we entered into a world of white, the snow caught on our eyelashes and tongues. As we sat near (not too close!) the bird feeder, we observed the birds’ behavior. After 10-15 minutes, we approached the feeder. Setting the seeds on top of our hats, we stood silent and still, waiting for progress. Soon, one chickadee drew up the courage and perched on my hat, content to nibble seeds! It was so light that I could barely feel the small creature upon my head. My friend and I exchanged silent congratulatory smiles. As soon as the birds realized that we were harmless, several chickadees were soon swooping about our heads.

After a quick lunch break, we resumed our business. We stood together another long time, just enjoying that magical experience. Soon that very same, very courageous chickadee that started the feeding frenzy alighted on my small, chubby, gloved finger! I suddenly went stiff with nervousness, excitement, and being scared all tied into one big feeling. I was nervous because I was so excited that I might burst, and scared that if I did that then the moment would be over too soon. For one moment, one fleeting moment, the chickadee’s and my eyes met. Then, after that second, the chickadee grabbed a seed, left my finger, and disappeared among the trees.

I don’t recall seeing the little bird again, for I would’ve known by those deep, dark eyes.

The Fledgling
By Maya Jacques

It was a summer day in Ellsworth, and as we were going to our car, we noticed the crows that were flying away except for one, which was still on the ground hopping up and down. It would flutter now and then, but it was obvious that it could not fly. My mom and I thought it had a broken wing, so I decided to catch it and bring it to Birdsacre, a sanctuary for injured birds.

Next came the challenge of catching it. Since the bird couldn’t fly, I thought I would catch it just by slowly getting close to it and speaking calmly and softly. Then the crow let me get very close. I reached out to catch it and I did. It was amazing! I went back to the car and we wrapped it in a blanket so we could safely drive it to the sanctuary.

When we were driving the crow was very scared and was cawing loudly. While it was on my lap, I noticed how beautiful its eyes were. They were bright blue! Its eyelids were blue also; actually they were the bluest of blues. Its feathers were very soft and silky. I was admiring the crow so much that I didn’t notice we were even at the sanctuary.

When we got there we were lucky to find help right away. I gave him the crow and he gently looked over the wings, etc. He told us that the bird was fine, healthy, and strong. It was a fledgling, and that it would not be able to fly for two or three days. He told us that crows were sociable and smart, and that they would miss their baby. We brought it right back to where we found it. We hoped for the best.

This was amazing for me because I never thought that a bird I see up in the trees, at the tippy top, would ever be in my hands. I was also so glad that I could try and help a bird. I learned so much and I feel so grateful that I have had this experience.