Students at Cortland Alternative School meet "Frumpkin"

Students at Cortland Alternative School meet 'Frumpkin'

Jan. 27, 2025

Students at Cortland Alternative School recently got an up-close look at “Frumpkin,” a majestic ted-tailed hawk that perched and fluttered its wings on their leather-gloved forearms as part of a live demonstration by local falconer Quentin Bartholomew (top left photo) and master falconer Peter Harrity. 

Students met this majestic bird of prey—one of the most common hawks in North America—during a visit to Lime Hollow Nature Center. They’ve been visiting the center this year as part of a “service learning project”—a learning approach that combines education with community service. In this case, students visited the center earlier this year to plant trees and pull invasive plants, all needed to preserve the forest and bird habitats.

After the hawk demonstration, students filled bird feeders with Lime Hollow outdoor educator Olivia Henry and learned about animal tracking in the snow with Lime Hollow outdoor educator James Michael. As James explained, the animal tracks tell a larger story about who these animals are, where they go, and why.

Cortland Alternative School teacher Kerri Freese, who chaperoned the event with fellow CAS colleague Lucien Hudson (top right), said the project reveals how important it is to conserve the environment and protect the local avian population. Students appreciate the value of these birds “for their own well-being and the well-being of the community,” she said.

Initially, while attached to a thin tether (called a creance), Frumpkin would perch carefully on Peter’s hand and fly to Quentin once it knew she was holding some food. Once Frumpkin understood that he would be flying from one person to another to retrieve his treat, students one-by-one put on the falconry glove and watched in awe as Frumpkin soared to each of their hands.

“I’ve never seen a bird that close up, like on me,” said junior Hayleigh Rice of Cortland (in red jacket). “It was amazing.”