Hatching fun at Audubon egg day

SHARON — On Saturday, April 20, at the Audubon Center in Sharon, Erica Clark confirmed that bunnies do not, in fact, lay eggs. 

Clark was leading an educational program about eggs when the question arose. The program drew two young naturalists, Sophie Natt and Nora Warren, to learn about all things egg-related.

To start off, Sophie, age 6, defined eggs: “They are little things that are oval shaped and they have something in them, like a baby animal or candy.” 

From there, Clark went over the various habits of egg-laying creatures, from robins to penguins. Penguins keep their eggs warm by pressing them against their skin. They walk around carrying them until they hatch.

Turkeys, on the other hand, just lay their eggs on the ground. Be careful not to step on any, since it’s egg season.

Clark also read the book “A Nest Full of Eggs” by Priscilla Jenkins, which follows a robin mother as she builds her nest, lays eggs and hatches her four babies.

Everyone at the program learned how birds build nests using whatever scraps they can find in their surroundings. Mud is the glue that holds it all together. The group looked at a couple of real bird nests. 

The girls learned how some birds build their nests so they can fit in them with no extra room, whereas eagles’ nests can be from 6 to 10 feet wide and just as tall.

Paloma, Audubon’s resident albino dove, came by for a visit during the presentation. 

The afternoon ended with an egg hunt, planting some seedlings in egg cartons, and visiting with the turtles that call Audubon home. 

To see Audubon’s upcoming programs, go to their Facebook page or their web page at www.sharon.audubon.org.