Seventeen science-minded and ecology-aware AP Biology students from the high school participated in the second annual Seatuck Birding Challenge on Sept. 26. During the 12-hour event, students competed in groups of 4 or 5 against other Long Island birding teams in an effort to identify as many bird species as possible.

“This is the best time of the year to examine bird diversity,” said biology teacher Wayne Mennecke, who was in attendance along with his daughter, Commack Road second-grader Katerina Mennecke. “Many bird species use Long Island as a migratory stop during the fall.”

Following the event, the students enjoyed a special barbeque reception held at the Scully Estate at Seatuck’s Suffolk County Environmental Center in Islip.