Wonders of nature in Oceanside’s back yard

School #3 students observed wildlife at the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area.

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Brigid Mahoney, Christopher Rubio and Karen Scarola of School #3 use binoculars at a grade-three trip to the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area.

Courtesy Oceanside School District

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Third graders at School #3 visited the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area (OMNSA) recently and explored the marshland ecosystem that is home to thousands of species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants. The students and their classroom teachers met with Oceanside School District Nature Study Coordinator Ned Black, who directed the students in their observations of the wildlife and in collecting and testing water samples. The students also met with OMNSA instructor John Holst for a lesson on the habits and habitat of several OMNSA residents including the astonishingly fast peregrine falcon, which can achieve speeds of 200 mph. All third-graders visit the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area during the school year. First graders spend time at the Oceanside Nature Study Center located at School #6 and sixth graders will explore habitats at Jones Beach later in the school year.