Pierce School students hike Pack Monadnock

Pierce School students recently took part in a hike up Pack Monadnock to witness the annual hawk migration at the Miller State Park Observatory in Peterborough.

Pierce School students in grades three and four hiked up Pack Monadnock to observe a variety of day-active raptors ー more commonly referred to as hawksー during the annual migration.

Every fall, thousands of raptors pass overhead Pack Monadnock on their way to southern wintering grounds. Harris Center for Conservation Education Hawk Watch staff tally the birds as part of an international effort to monitor raptor population trends in the Americas. Thousands of visitors come to the observatory to witness the spectacle of the migration each year.

Susie Spikol of the Harris Center assisted Pierce students in spectating and determining the various species they got to observe.

Grade four Teacher Valerie Germain, paraeducator Ashley Southard, grade three teacher Jennifer Sutton and intern Amy Powell helped students complete the hike, be respectful birders and enjoy nature. Students felt a sense of pride throughout the day as they were active participants in the experience.

“Students showed great perseverance during times of adversity, being tired at times and pushed beyond their limits,” stated Principal Alisha Hansen-Proulx. “They demonstrated great behavior and built strong relationships throughout the day of outdoor learning!”