Fifth-graders visited by live birds of prey

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Julie Ann Collier from WingMasters with a peregrine falcon. (Photo/submitted)
Julie Ann Collier from WingMasters with a peregrine falcon. (Photo/submitted)

Grafton – On April 8, the Millbury Street Elementary School (MSES) fifth-graders had a special visit from Julie Ann Collier of WingMasters. She came to visit with many birds of prey and the students had a chance to meet and learn about them all. She introduced the students to an American kestrel, a red-tailed hawk, a saw-whet owl, a peregrine falcon, a great-horned owl and a barn owl. All of these birds have some kind of injury which prevents them from being able to survive in the wild. The students learned that the white pine trees behind MSES are a perfect place for a red-tailed hawk. She encouraged the students to keep an eye to the sky to see if they could spot any soaring above the school at recess. The students were impressed to learn that the peregrine falcon can fly at speeds reaching 100-200 mph. The crowd favorite was definitely the saw-whet owl weighing in at only 3.5 ounces – the same weight as the chocolate bar that she brought with her. The event was organized by the South Grafton Parent-Teacher Organization.

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