Upcoming Afterschool programs at the Marion Natural History Museum

MARION — Afterschool programs return to the Marion Natural History museum. 

To register for any of these programs or to find out more information go to the Marion Natural History Museum’s website www.marionmuseum.org.

The Great Backyard Bird Count. On Feb. 4 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. join the museum for a Great Backyard Bird Count.

This is a free event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations.

Participants are asked to count birds for 15 minutes on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. 

Anyone can take part from anywhere in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts. 

With the help of Nasketucket and Brookline Bird Club, member Carol Molander, will be leading an excursion to teach attendees how to identify some of the more common bird species.

Warm hats, gloves and boots are highly recommended for the excursion.

Owl Diet Detective. The library will host an owl pellet dissectionon Feb. 25 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Join the library for an exploration into the world of owls and their unique eating habits. 

Unlike other birds, owls swallow their prey whole because they lack teeth for chewing. 

The Owl Pellet Dissection program provides insight into these nocturnal predators. This event is recommended for second graders through sixth graders. 

Learn how owls consume mice, voles, small birds and more. Delve into regurgitated pellets, consisting of bones, teeth, fur and feathers.

Each pellet is dry heat sterilized. Gloves and dissection tools are provided to ensure a safe and hygienic experience.