Birding is a human right - Pub Science and more
Da...@dhsmall.net
Athol Bird & Nature Club
Field Trips & Meetings 2025
http://www.atholbirdclub.org
Wednesday 7:00 pm February 12, 2025 – Zoom only Eric Eaton - “Birding is a Human Right" Birding is for everybody, or 
it should be. Birding also depends on having birds to watch. Let's explore ways to make everyone feel welcome in the birding community; and let us also recognize why some of our conservation advocacy strategies are not working, or not working as well as we hoped. What are some alternatives? Do we not have a right to nature? What about rights of nature? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion designed to get you thinking differently about birding.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8I4ghf0FT660Px2-JuakFg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Friday, February 14th 9:30 am The North Central Mass. Nature Journal Collaborative is venturing out to Mass. Audubon’s Wampanoag wildlife sanctuary on feb 14th. Valentines day will be celebrated outdoors! We will meet as always at 9:30 and walk around for 2 hours. We may have a chance to journal about the animal tracks in the snow. If you have any questions, contact Trina at thewa...@gardnerale.com
Sunday, February 16th, 6:30 am. wintering birds of Cape Ann. Join Ernie LeBlanc in a search for the wintering birds of Cape Ann, including gulls, alcids, and sea ducks. Dress warmly as weather conditions 
can be challenging. Meet in the parking lot behind the Millers River Environmental Center. The trip will leave no later than 6:30. This is an all-day trip. Please confirm your intent to participate in the trip by calling Ernie at 978-249-4064 prior to the trip date.
Sunday 1:00 pm February 23rd, 2025, in-person That Rowdy Bird of Birds—the Poets’ Bobolink with David Spector.
A look at Bobolinks as interpreted in poetry, mostly by 19th century New England poets, including, from here in Western Massachusetts, Emily Dickinson, and William Cullen Bryant. The talk is decorated with classic, mostly 19th and early 20th century, illustrations.
David Spector is a retired ornithologist with an interest in birds in literature.
Wednesday 7:00 pm March 12 in-person - Five Years in the Life of Sandhill Cranes – Alan Rawle Since May 2020, 
Alan and his wife Wendy have been following the behaviors and activities of a pair of Sandhill Cranes in Hardwick. In this program, Alan will describe successful and unsuccessful nestlings documented over that period along with additional information from 2019. The talk will first provide a background to the history of Sandhill Cranes in New England, noting the increased numbers in the region since about 2000, and then focus on detailed observations of the pair of cranes that they’ve been fortunate to encounter over a 4-year period.
Alan has diligently pieced together the timescales and locations of the crane family--2 adults and 2 young/juveniles (colts). The presentation will include pictures of cranes eating, walking, flying, bathing, and “at play”, together with other pertinent and relevant information.
Sunday 1:00 pm March 23, 2025, in-person (Will Close – "4 Season Nature Journaling- a Series")
Wednesday 7:00 pm April 9th, 2025, in-person +zoom Bob and Dana Fox " Woodpeckers: A Unique and Fascinating Family" Come and hear Dana and Bob tell the fascinating story about the Woodpecker family of birds. With 233 species in the world, they are found almost worldwide where trees are abundant. They can’t sing like some other birds, but they certainly can make a lot of noise. They don’t migrate but survive on a variety of foods. They are the super craftsmen of the bird world using their bill like a chisel. Their four legs hold them vertically firm on a tree while they carve out their spacious homes and find food. We will go a bit deeper to see how this family evolved, their special biology and how they live in difficult locations. Of course, we have come up with some interesting stories about many of the most interesting species that might surprise you.
Fridays April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 @ 7:00 am Early Bird Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone here at the Center (100 Main Street Athol) before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. These are great events for the novice birder to learn from one of our best field naturalists. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. The April 25th trip will be co-hosted with the Brookline Bird Club with Leslie Kramer co-leading.
We are currently seeking Program and Field trip suggestions for Summer Sundays in 2025. If you wish to give a presentation, lead a field trip, have a topic, or location you would like to see us visit. Let us know. Thanks DHS
2025 ABNC Calendar Error
An error was identified on two pages of the 2025 ABNC calendar. The starting day for August was shown as occurring on Saturday when it should have been Friday. The starting day for September was shown as occurring on Tuesday when it should have been Monday. There are several options for correcting this mistake:
- Request corrected sheets with an adhesive back peel-off cover for each of the two months. Order your peel and stick replacement pages. Complete the form, including your mailing address and the number of calendars you are amending. The sheets will be sent to your address free of charge.
- You may download and print the PDF files yourself and attach them to your calendar Download the August sheet, Download the September sheet We regret this error and appreciate your continued support when purchasing this unique calendar.
Thursday, February 6, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Pub Science: All About Black Bears! Honest Weight Artisan 
Brewery, 131 West Main Street, Unit 104, Orange Description: Are you curious about the bears in our midst? Join us for good company and local beer and snacks and learn from MassWildlife’s Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist, Dave Wattles, PhD. Dave has been studying and working with large mammals in Massachusetts since 2006 when he began collaring and studying moose for his graduate work at UMass Amherst. He has 15 years of experience conducting black bear research and has been the Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) since 2016. Dave Wattles will describe the history of the black bear population in Massachusetts and its remarkable recovery during the last fifty years. In addition to bear ecology, he will discuss the results of fifteen years of radio and GPS collaring research. The collar data has revealed information on reproduction, survival, causes of mortality, habitat use, and movement. Wattles will also talk about coexisting with bears. RSVP by emailing Caitie at dwyer-...@mountgrace.org
Monday, February 10, 2025 noon – 1 PM Winter Wildlife Tracking Presentation from Paul Wanta Online 
Description: Discover the fundamentals of winter wildlife tracking in this engaging webinar! Learn to identify and distinguish animals by their tracks, explore tracking patterns, and uncover signs of wildlife. Hosted by Mount Grace, the program will feature Tracker Paul Wanta, along with highlights from our in-person tracking event that was hosted on January 25th. We’ll share photos of standout animal tracks from past winter tracking programs and Paul will take questions from the audience at the end of the webinar. Can’t join live? The webinar will be available afterward on the Mount Grace website. Click the link below to register for this event: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HZBmvo8qRiut0ls1TmJ3qw For questions about the event, please email Caitie at dwyer-...@mountgrace.org.
The WARE RIVER NATURE CLUB newsletter for February is on the link below, it can also be accessed by copying and pasting this link into your browser:
https://www.warerivernatureclub.org/uploads/4/4/1/6/44166651/wrnc_february_2025_newsletter.pdf
Wear a warm hat and hang onto it this blustery February!
February 2025 Events at the Great Falls Discovery Center
All programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children. Inclement weather cancels outdoor programs. For more information call 413-863-3221 or visit: https://www.mass.gov/locations/great-falls-discovery-center; or email janel.n...@mass.gov. The Great Falls Discovery Center is located at 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376. Wheelchair accessible. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation: Cell: 617-645-0358, Email: Moneesha....@mass.gov
DCR Les and Terry Cambell Visitor Center
Monday, February 17, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Tracks and Scat
Although we may not see them often, our native wildlife is all around us. Come learn to recognize some signs of wildlife through a fun and informative indoor activity. Meet at the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center in Belchertown. Great for all ages, children must be accompanied by
Renew or become a new member: https://atholbirdclub.org/become-a-member/
Thanks to all for your continued enthusiastic support of ABNC/MREC
Dave Small
978-413-1772 cell
