Young researchers from the biological class of Moscow school number 179 spent the winter holidays in the Prioksko-Terrasniy Reserve.
Winter holidays for young naturalists — the time of expeditions and adventures. The closest to Moscow Prioksko-Terrasny reserve traditionally hosts young biologists and pathfinders, showing them all the richness of the nature of the winter forest.
The purpose of the winter expedition of schoolchildren was to study the life of the winter forest. The children studied the traces of animals, learned to identify trees and shrubs on branches and grassy plants on the remains, preserved under snow.
Anomalously warm winter changed the habitual life of many forest dwellers. Therefore, it was especially interesting for schoolchildren to observe how the world of living nature adapts to weather and climate factors.
Young naturalists saw 20 species of birds, the most common for this season. Among them are five species of woodpeckers (the great spotted woodpecker, the middle spotted woodpecker, the lesser spotted woodpecker, the european green woodpecker, the black woodpecker). The most numerous species was the goldcrest. On the edge of the forest and in the floodplains are numerous eurasian blue tits and great tits. The willow tits, common treecreepers and the eurasian nuthatches are also numerous. Schoolchildren also saw bullfinch, the bohemian waxwing and the fieldfare. Such bird observations are a good help to the ornithologists of our nature reserve.
Schoolchildren viewed the dams of beavers and beaver-eaten branches. For beaver climatic anomalies are not terrible – they live their normal life. Warm weather deceived some insects. Several times in the forest were seen yellow butterflies. The absence of deep snow made it possible to see which of our plants retain green leaves under the snow cover. In addition, young naturalists collected on fallen trees samples of amazing creatures — Myxomycetes. They were photographed and taken with them to Moscow for an accurate determination.
And in the evening, in a cozy and warm home, the children and their teachers cheerfully celebrated Christmas and traditionally watched their favorite films, drank tea and cookies and exchanged stories about adventures.
Young nature researchers traditionally say thank you very much to the reserve for the opportunity to get acquainted with its inhabitants and friendly reception!
