While campers scurried, investigated holes, and craned their necks to look for signs of animal homes in a hollow tree during February vacation day camp last month at Gilsland Farm they indeed found someone in residence—a barred owl perched on a pine branch.

“What a find!” environmental educator Rachelle Curran said to her students on the cold, snowy day. As she told the students about how owls survive, and cautioned them not to get any closer, the bird twisted its head around to take a good look at the group. The campers, talking excitedly in hushed voices, immediately went silent.

“We’re so lucky!” one of the campers said as the group ran off in hot pursuit of their next natural find.