Branon Farm Field Trip

We had a very fun, if a little cold, field trip out to the Branon's Farm. The whole plan for the trip was for kids to get a look at some winter animal habitats. The kids took a short snowshoe hike (or sled ride) out in the farm field. They were able to find several holes that they suspect rodents have made for their winter homes. We did not find many tracks, except our own that we left with snowshoes.

Beth, who was off getting extra shoes, and Farmer John, met the trekkers in the field with the big John Deere tractor. John had hooked up a hay wagon do that the ride back was a little easier than the trek out. We took a chilly hayride back to the house to gather sleds. Then we headed out across Chester Arthur Road to the field with the sledding hill.

Everyone had a chance to slide down the hill with friends or on their own. The first few times down the hill were a little slow. Once we had made some nice packed down tracks, the sledders picked up speed. We got really good at yelling, "LOOK OUT BELOW!" as we zoomed down the hill. Kids who got a little too cold were able to warm up in the tractor, that stayed parked up on the hill with us.

After we tuckered ourselves out on the sledding hill, we made our way back to the farmhouse to warm up with hot cocoa and snack. Candy had everything ready for us. We also got to meet the bunny rabbit that lives in the house. As we ate and sipped in the warm house, Candy performed the puppet show for winter habitats.

We found out that mice don't hibernate, but they make warm homes under the snow. They try to stay hidden from weasels, who like to eat mice. We also found out that bears don't necessarily sleep all winter. They are dormant. They sleep a lot and don;t eat, but they are sometimes awake in their desn. Especially the females who give birth in late winter and have to care for their cubs in the winter den.