Chirp Sheet
Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23
Quack Cam captures adventures of nesting duck on school playground
School officials learned there was no ducking the situation after discovering that a wild mallard had laid her eggs under a piece of playground equipment.
After contacting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, it was soon learned that the eggs are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and could not be touched. In fact, the only way they could be moved is by obtaining a letter of authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to allow a licensed rehabilitation expert to relocate the eggs.
So roping off the area and installing a "Quack Cam" so students can watch the nesting duck from afar seemed the best option to "fit the bill." (Link to the Quack Cam is below.) The community is invited to join in on the viewing of the duck as she prepares for motherhood.
"We believe mama duck laid her eggs over spring break in what she thought was a quiet, peaceful, woodchip nesting area, perfect to hatch her 11 ducklings," said Lindsey Tate, Director of the Cardinal's Nest. "Little did she know that on April 8 a school full of preschoolers would discover her habitat. She was quite frazzled at first from the hustle and bustle of Davison's littlest Cardinals during recess, but soon realized they were just babies, too, and soon returned to her nest. We cornered off the playground to respect mama duck's space and continued to let the students play from a distance. In addition, teachers monitor the area to ensure everyone's safety and students have been instructed to give mama privacy."
Ms. Tate said the live feed is shown in the classrooms so everyone can still witness the progress, but not step on any webbed toes.
"It is a very exciting time here at the Nest," she said. "We are all patiently waiting for the arrival of our fellow feathered friends."
Technology Support Specialist Jake Balla installed the "Quack Cam" with assistance from Technology Co-Op student Brady Sayles, a senior at Davison High School.
"We used a recycled camera, scrap cabling from a wiring project, created a new account for live streaming, and came up with some very creative networking solutions to make it happen," Mr. Balla said, adding that it took about a week to get the video cam up and running.
Kara Colton, a wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources office at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly, said if the nest is successful, the incubation period is typically between 23-30 days. She also warned that sometimes nests just are not successful for one reason or another and predation can happen as well.
If the nest is successful, the female will often take the ducklings to the nearest body of water, Colton said.
For the time being, however, students are taking to the observation like a duck to water and preschool teachers are taking full advantage of the learning opportunity by presenting classroom lessons such as:
- "5 Little Ducks" fingerplay (motor skills)
- "Lifecycle of a Duck," (science)
- Reading aloud "Duck at the Door" (language)
- Duck drawing art work (fine motor skills)
- Hatch date predictions (math)
To learn more about the nesting duck, Colton said the Cornell Bird Lab is a great resource. Here is a snippet of information from their website pertaining to nesting Mallards.
Mallard Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology – if you click this it will take you to the page about Mallards. You can find even more in-depth information if you click on the tab that says “life history," such as:
- Mallards do form pairs and are generally monogamous. The female is the only one who incubates the eggs and raises the ducklings.
- Mallards are generalist foragers and known as “dabbling” ducks. They don’t dive deep in ponds to eat, but dabble to feed, where they will tip forward in the water and eat aquatic vegetation or seeds. From the Cornell Mallard page: “They also roam around on the shore and pick at vegetation and prey on the ground. During the breeding season, they eat mainly animal matter including aquatic insect larvae, earthworms, snails and freshwater shrimp. During migration, many Mallards consume largely agricultural seed and grain.”
- If a duck nests near your house or in your yard the best thing to do is leave it alone and keep pets and people away from it. Migratory birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and it is illegal to remove them from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal to possess a live wild animal, including birds in Michigan. Michigan Licensed Rehabilitators
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size:1-13 eggs
- Number of Broods: 1-2 broods
- Incubation Period: 23-30 days
- Egg Description: Unmarked creamy to grayish or greenish buff.
- Condition at Hatching: Newly hatched birds are covered in down and alert; they are ready to leave the nest within 13–16 hours.
Seven DHS art students earn awards at GFAC exhibition
Davison art students showcased their talent during the Friday, April 11, opening reception of the Young Artists Today Exhibition at the Greater Flint Arts Council Gallery.
Over 30 pieces were selected by Davison High School teachers Ryan Kelsey, Bobbie McAllister, Erin Sanderson and Davison Alternative Education teacher Michelle Zimmerman. Seven DHS art students took home awards, including the two top prizes:
- Abigail Cross - Best of Show, 2D
- Lily Schultz - Best of Show, 3D
- Lyra McCrocklin - Honorable Mention, Painting
- Andrew Miller - Honorable Mention, Ceramics
- Alex Niemi - Honorable Mention, Illustration
- Sophie Thomas - Honorable Mention, Drawing
- Ava Tucker - Honorable Mention, Design
The display runs through May 2 so there is still time to visit the GFAC Gallery, 816 S. Saginaw St., Flint, to view an exceptional show featuring our Davison artists! The gallery is free and open to the public.
Mrs. Lisa DuPrey named as next Principal at Hill Elementary
Hill Elementary music teacher Lisa DuPrey will lead the school building she started her career at when she officially assumes the role of Principal beginning July 1. Lisa is replacing Jennifer Burke, who resigned last month after accepting a position at Talent Together, a consortium designed to provide pathways into the profession of teaching. Retired Gates Elementary Principal Theresa Wendt is serving as the interim Principal at Hill Elementary for the remainder of the school year.
“I am excited for Lisa and Hill Elementary as we look forward to her stepping in as the next principal of Hill Elementary,” said Superintendent Matt Lobban. “Throughout her previous role in our district, Lisa consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a collaborative spirit, and an unwavering dedication to our students, staff and families. Her ability to build relationships, support educators and foster a positive school culture makes her exceptionally well-suited for this new role. Lisa leads with heart, integrity and a clear vision for excellence. I am excited to see how she will continue to inspire those around her and strengthen the incredible work already happening at Hill.”
“We are excited to have Lisa be the next principal at Hill Elementary,” added Executive Director of Student Services Amy Chorley “She has been a valued member of the Hill Elementary staff for years and is deeply committed to the students, staff and families. As Lisa is someone who already knows the heart of the school, I’m confident her leadership will help continue fostering a safe, connected and thriving learning community at Hill Elementary."
Mrs. DuPrey began working at Hill Elementary 18 years ago. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Michigan State University and a master's degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She also completed the Leadership Academy in Genesee County in 2018 and has continued to take classes focused on leadership throughout the years.
“I am honored to be chosen to be the next Principal at Hill Elementary,” Mrs. DuPrey said. “Hill is where my heart is and I could not be more excited to step into this role. This is where I started my teaching career, and it is so amazing to have the opportunity to start my administration career in the same building. I am so excited to embark on this new journey alongside my Hill family.”
Lisa and her husband, Matt, have been married for 16 years. They have three children, Ella, 11, William, 8 and Charlotte, 3. Outside of school, Lisa says her family is her life.
“We are very busy with travel baseball and a competitive dance schedule,” she said. “When I'm not cheering on my kids from the sideline, I like to craft and sew.”
