Events update
Dave Small
Athol Bird & Nature Club
Field Trips & Meetings 2013
Unless otherwise noted, programs meet at
the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol.
If weather is questionable on a field trip day,
please call the trip leader at least an hour before the scheduled meeting time.
Scroll down for more special events around the region
Sunday, May 5, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
<<>> Wednesday, May 8, 7 p.m. What Is an Ovenbird, and
What Can It Tell Us about Forest Conservation?
Is forest fragmentation having an effect on the breeding success of ovenbirds? Find out at our regular meeting here at the Center, when Morimoto, Ph.D., of Lesley University will discuss the natural history and behavior of these birds, and what they are telling us about municipal planning, forest conservation, and forest management.
Sunday, May 12, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Tuesday, May 14, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Join Joe Superchi on the second Tuesday of the month visiting local sites. Open to birders of all abilities. Meet at the Center. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491.
Saturday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. Annual Northfield Birding Trip
Mark Taylor leads us on ABNC's traditional excursion to Northfield in search of spring migrants. Meet at the Country Club parking lot in Northfield at 8 a.m. Severe weather cancels. Info: Mark Taylor, 413-498-4380.
Sunday, May 19, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Saturday, May 25, 7 a.m. Exploring Quabbin: Prescott Peninsula
Meet Larry Therrien at the DCR headquarters parking lot, off Rte 202 in New Salem for this natural history exploration of Interior Quabbin. Limited to 10 participants, with preference given to ABNC members. Reservation required. To reserve your spot, e-mail Larry at larryt...@hotmail.com.
Sunday, May 26, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone,
MassWildlife News
KEEP WILDLIFE WILD, LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE
The arrival of spring means the arrival of newborn and just-hatched wildlife. These youngsters soon venture into the world on shaky legs or fragile wings and are discovered by people living, playing or working nearby. Every year, the lives of many young wild creatures are disturbed by people who take young wildlife from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to "save" them.
These well-meant acts of kindness tend to have the opposite result. Instead of being left to learn their place in the world, young wildlife removed from the wild are denied important natural learning experiences which help them survive on their own. Most people quickly find that they can't really care for young wildlife, and many of the animals soon die in the hands of well-meaning people. Young wildlife that does survive human "assistance" misses experiences that teach them to fend for themselves. If these animals are released back into the wild, their chances of survival are reduced. Often, the care given to young wildlife results in some attachment to humans and the animals may return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or hit by cars. Some animals become nuisances and people have even been injured by once-tamed wildlife.
Avoid these problems by following one simple rule when coming upon young wildlife: If You Care, Leave Them There! It may be difficult to do, but this is a real act of compassion. Generally young mammals are visited only a few times a day to avoid leaving traces that attract predators. For instance, a nest of bunnies will only be visited by the adult female twice per day. The young wildlife are quite safe when left alone because their color patterns and lack of scent help them remain undetected. Avoid nest and den areas of young wildlife and restrain all pets. What if you find a young bird that has fallen from a nest? Adult wildlife are not disturbed by human scent. Baby birds found on the ground may be safely picked up and placed in a nearby bush or tree.
Leave fawns (young deer) where they are found. Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected until the doe returns. If sympathetic people repeatedly visit a fawn, it can prolong the separation from the doe and delay important feeding. Unlike deer, newborn moose calves remain in close proximity to their mothers who, in contrast to a white-tailed doe, will actively defend calves against danger. An adult cow moose weighing over 600 pounds will chase, kick, stomp potential predators, people included.
Only when young wildlife are found injured or with their dead mother may the young be assisted, but must then be delivered immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Due to the difficulty in properly caring for them there are no rehabilitators licensed to care of fawns. It is illegal to possess most wildlife in Massachusetts. Information on young wildlife and a list of wildlife rehabilitators is posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/wildlife_home.htm.
Nature Buddies Schedule '13 - 9:45 am to 1:00 PM Friday May 17 @ Harvard Forest in Petersham and Thursday June 13 at Skyfields (Mount Grace office on Old Keene Road)
Bonnie Benjamin has been running the "Nature Buddies" program with the first graders at Sanders Street School for many years. These are exciting excursions into the natural world with these great kids. Volunteers are needed to come and share their love of nature with these first graders, No experience necessary. Everyone needs a CORI check. Stop in at the Sanders Street School office to make out the form. mailto:bonbe...@verizon.net
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
It's May and the Turners Falls Fishway is Opening!
Visit the Turners Falls Fishway from May 11 until June 16.
Underwater viewing windows offer visitors of all ages a chance to see American shad, sea lamprey and other migratory fish during their upriver spring journey to spawn. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from mid May to mid June, as well as on Monday, Memorial Day. Free admission, no reservations required.
The Fishway is located on First Street, off Avenue A in Turners Falls, MA.
MIGRATORY DRAGONFLY SHORT COURSE |
Dragonfly migration occurs on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, huge numbers of dragonflies can be seen flying south in fall along both coasts and through the Midwest, but these migrations are still poorly understood. The Migratory Dragonfly Partnership (MDP), Xerces Society, and U.S. Forest Service International Programs are pleased to announce an upcoming Migratory Dragonfly Short Course in White River Junction, Vermont. This full day training will provide an overview of dragonfly life history, ecology, conservation, and migratory behavior, and train participants to identify key migratory species and contribute data to ongoing MDP citizen science research projects.
SHORT COURSE DETAILS
Cost: Free Registration is required for this course. Click here to register online or to find out more information about the course in White River Junction, Vermont on June 8, 2013.
Hurry; space is limited!
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Dave Small
president
Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331
