Our fist "Lunker" of the year!

From Dr. Oliver's Classroom Update, Groton Middle School, Week of April 6th.
"The Story of Lunker: The Bully Trout "

(Watch "Lunker" guarding his/her turf, lower lefthand corner.)

It has been a couple weeks since I safely moved the trout from our classroom to my house.
There have been noteworthy changes. While all the fish have been growing, there are a few runts and a few that are growing big. One in particular is getting huge (over 4” from nose to tail). I have named it Lunker, which means an exceptionally large specimen of something, in particular a fish.

What is most interesting is that Lunker has started to get territorial – it is a bully. I have read
that “In rivers, trout are territorial and will often chase away other trout from their feeding
lies [areas where they like to wait for food] and bolt holes [hide outs]”(WildTrout.org). It seems
the bottom left of the tank near the pump is where Lunker has set up its hangout!

After you have watched the video, let us know what you think Dr. Oliver could do to stop
Lunker.   Should he?

Fall Creek Trout released Today!

Here's Marina at Ithaca Falls!

Hi everyone!  Marina released more trout from Fall Creek Elementary and other schools today at Ithaca Falls, and she's got some answers for questions submitted from South Hill 4th graders.

• How big are our trout?
• How long will they live?
• Will they get eaten?  (I wonder what those fisherman are trying to catch downstream??)
• What are some parts of the habitat?

Click on the image to open the video.  And, send us your questions!

Harbingers of Spring Along the Creek!

Mourning Cloak Butterflies!

Lots of these along the Rim Trail at Buttermilk Park this week.  They've spent the winter in their adult form, tucked beneath loose bark on decaying logs, and now have only a few weeks to revive, dine on a little oak sap and complete their amazing vertical courtship flights. 

These insects tend to be territorial, so if you think you've scared one away, just wait a moment... he or she will be back! 

2020 Early Trout Release Sites

Since we had to remove trout from 17 schools, and release them on our own, we've created an online map of "Trout in the Classroom" release sites.  Open this Google map project and click on the trout icons to get site information and links to more video and images.  We encourage students and families can visit their sites.  But if you do, PLEASE follow COVID19 guidelines at all times.   Stay healthy, safe and thoughtful!

Trout in the Classroom Online 2020 in MyMaps

Get Your Word Search On!

Here are two cool word searchs to get you into the spirit of

trout from the warmth of your own home! (Click on images.)

Elementary Version Advanced Version

Activities to do at home

We are putting on our thinking caps to come up with ideas for you to do while you are at home.

In the meantime, here are some websites with lots of ideas for activities you can do to learn more about trout and streams.

Trout Unlimited Stream Explorers:
http://www.streamexplorers.org/get-active

Trout Unlimited for Families at Home:
https://www.tu.org/?p=45290

Groton 4th Grade Think Tank Brook Trout Hatchery II

Live trout "Stream" from Groton Elementary's 4th Grade Think Tank Brook Trout Hatchery II. It's back online!

Releasing Trout at Mulholland WF Preserve, Six Mile Creek, March 2020

COVID19 has forced an early shut down of aquariums at 19 schools in our program.   We're creating online and remote learning tools to help teachers and generate healthy, outdoor education opportunities for families.  In the coming days, we will be posting activitiess, video trout releases and maps to release locations to get you and the kids outdoors, in a safe way. 

From all of us, Stay Well!
Bill Foster, Director
Discover Cayuga Lake
www.DiscoverCayugaLake.org

Groton 4th Grade Think Tank

Live BROOK TROUT at Groton Elementary.   2 month old PARR TROUT!

Big Eyes

 

Our Cornell Biology Service Leaders, Jane and Iman, visited Ms. Anderson's class at BOCES today, and checked in with students raising brown trout.  The students went through feeding and water quality testing practices, and discussed options to resolve a high nitrite level in the water, which is potentially dangerous for the young trout. 

 

We have time for a little up-close observation, also.  Here, you can see the external structure of the eyes on these 6 week old browns.  Notice how the lens of the eyes are round, and extend away from the body on each side of the head.  What type of adaptation might this be?