EAGLEWATCH

"What did you do in school today? "Oh we went on a field trip and watched eagles feeding their babies."

This may sound improbable, but thanks to the active aerie at Megunticook Lake in Camden, kids can go home with true stories about what goes on inside an eagle's nest. Merryspring's Eaglewatch program is a memorable introduction to these majestic birds, and it takes place in an equally memorable setting, the Fernald's Neck Preserve.

Students watch the eagles from a meadow on the shore of this scenic lake, with the bold cliffs of Mount Megunticook in the background. Eagles are not the only attraction- ospreys, kingfishers, loons, geese, and a wide variety of smaller songbirds are sure to be seen as well; and nearby Balance Rock offers a pleasant side trip for a bit of geological study. Nonetheless, the big birds are unquestionable the stars of the show.
With the help of our powerful telescope, students get close-up views of parents and chicks interacting. They keep a journal of their observations, which goes back to their classroom as a souvenir of the day. An active bald eagle nest is a rare and ephemeral resource that could be gone in the next windstorm; we hope that all local schools take advantage of this chance to give their students the bird-watching opportunity of a lifetime.

Phone: 207-236-2239
Email:mersprng@gwi.net

GEOLOGY

Did you know that most of Maine's midcoast area used to be part of Africa? the history of how continental drift, volcanic activity, and glaciation have shaped this part of the world and makes a fascinating introduction to the study of geology. this unit can be taught at Merryspring or at nearby Fernald's Neck on Megtunticook Lake, at the teacher's preference. Both sites offer panoramic views of the glacially-carved Camden Hills, but each also has its unique attractions: Merryspring's Ross Center allows students to view slides and handle exhibit of Maine's different minerals, while Fernald's Neck, a 250-acre peninsula in a glacially-formed lake, boast outstanding scenery (including an active eagle's nest) and one of Maine's most celebrated erratics, Balance rock. Either way, students and teachers get valuable insight about the stories hidden in rocks around us.
Tracks of the glacier: Scoured grooves on Mr. Megunticook, tumbled boulders on a Rockport wall, and Balance Rock at Fernald's Neck.
Merryspring's "Museum of Natural Mystery" at the Ross Center
Iron pyrite, more commonly called "fools gold" Marine fossils from northern Piscataquis County
Terminated Quartz crystal from Mount Megunticook
Black Tourmaline from Camden Hills Area
SEED STARTING
Inside the greenhouse on a winter day.

Seedlings in the greenhouse during winter

It is time to look forward to spring planting! Merryspring's greenhouse enables us to grow plants year-round to help support the park during several yearly fundraisers. We would like to offer this space to classes who are interested in coming and finding out how our greenhouse works. They will also start their own seeds for spring planting that can be taken back to classroom windowsills and watched for the next several weeks. This is great for teachers who are discussing plant growth with their students, but everyone can benefit from finding out more about how plants develop. We will also talk about vegetative propagation and show students how to start their own plants from cuttings. Space in our green house is limited, so we hope teachers who are interested will sign up early and escape winter for a few hours.

Phone 207-236-2239
Email: mersprng@gwi.net

WETLANDS

Merryspring is adjacent to a large wetland that's part of the Goose River watershed in Rockport. This allows us to take school groups through all of the different zones--the adjacent upland forest, forested bottomland, open floodplain, and right up to (and sometimes into) the river itself. A sunny, raised grassy mound (the former railroad grade used in Rockport's lime quarrying days) makes a perfect stream side classroom for instruction, collecting, and the all-important lunch break.

Fiddleheads, frog's eggs, and an impressive diversity of bird life are just some of the natural attractions that can be seen and studied here; and from this vantage point all of the different components of a watershed, even the surrounding mountains that feed it, are easily seen and understood. This unit also works well with classroom studies in the water cycle.
Phone: 207-236-2239
Email: mersprng@gwi.net