On October 20th the New Berlin Library held a 4H/Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County After School Program. 4H Educator, Erica Clark, lead a lesson entitled “Dissecting Owl Pellets”.

Participating children were taught about the types of owls that live in our area, Barn, Saw Whet, Barred, and Great Horned Owls. They learned facts about each owl and listened to recordings of their individual calls.

The children and parents were then each given an owl pellet to dissect. Owl Pellets are the undigested animal matter that owls and other birds of prey regurgitate in the form of a compacted oblong ball. With wooden tools and fingers they took apart the pellets to discover what animal bones were inside. They found small bird and rodent skulls and other bones. They used a chart to identify the bones.

The after school programs takes place from 3:30-4:30 in the New Berlin Library Community Room. Participants are required to wear nose and mouth coverings and practice social distancing. When weather permits the program will be held outside, behind the library. Masks will not be required for outdoor programs.