Events Update

[Dave Small]

Athol Bird & Nature Club

Field Trips & Meetings 2012

 

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.

 

 

Friday, May 4, 8:45 a.m.                         Friday Mornings with Earle

Athol Bird & Nature Club naturalist Earle Baldwin explores Thousand Acre Dam and Little Falls. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Rain cancels. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Saturday, May 5, 8 a.m.                                      Annual Northfield Birding Trip
Mark Taylor of the Athol Bird & Nature Club leads this traditional excursion in search of spring migrants. Meet at the country club parking lot in Northfield. Severe weather cancels. Free.

Sunday, May 6, 7 a.m.                                 “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.

 

Tuesday, May 8, 8-10 a.m.                                 Accessible Birding with Joe

Open to birders of all abilities and led by Joe Superchi of the Athol Bird & Nature Club. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491. Free.

 

Wednesday, May 9, 7 p.m.                                Aquatic Invasives

Paula Packard, aquatic biologist for the Quabbin Reservoir, discusses the threat of aquatic invasive species at this meeting of the Athol Bird & Nature Club. At the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Free.

 

Friday, May 11, 8:45 a.m.                                  Friday Mornings with Earle

Athol Bird & Nature Club naturalist Earle Baldwin with a look at the ravens of Page Pond. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Rain cancels. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Saturday, May 19, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.                   7th Annual Plant Sale

Delightful plants from the gardens of the North Quabbin Garden Club. At the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol.

 

Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.   Bearsden: Round Top and Sheep Rock

Athol Bird & Nature Club naturalist Dan Bolton leads a six-mile moderate hike through Athol’s premier conservation land. Meet at the Bearsden parking area at the end of Bearsden Rd., Athol. Bring water and lunch, and dress for the weather, including good footwear. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m, - late night             Reception, Book Signing & Moths
Meet one of the new Peterson Field Guide to Moths authors Seabrooke Leckie for a potluck reception and moth night at the home of Athol Bird & Nature Club president David Small, 1542 Pleasant St., Athol, to search for lunas, underwings, silkmoths and other night flying insects.

 

Sunday, May 13, 7 a.m.                                 “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.

 

Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m.                                   Delightful Daylilies

Presented by Denise Pavlovich, owner of Covered Bridge Perennials in Pepperell and a member of the board of directors of the New England Daylily Society. Offered by the North Quabbin Garden Club at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Members free, guests $5.

 

Friday, May 18, 8:45 a.m.                                  Friday Mornings with Earle

Athol Bird & Nature Club naturalist Earle Baldwin explores the Newton Reservoir spillway to Buckman Brook. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Rain cancels. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Saturday, May 19, 7 a.m.                                   Joan & Larry & the Birds of Athol
Athol Bird & Nature Club birders Joan and Larry Duprey lead an excursion around Newton Reservoir. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Heavy rain cancels. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Sunday, May 20, 7 a.m.                           Jeff and the Birds of Athol
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore Athol for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

 

Friday, May 25, 8:45 a.m.                                  Friday Mornings with Earle

Athol Bird & Nature Club naturalist Earle Baldwin explores a forgotten road from a fisherman’s kiosk to Raven Trestle. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Rain cancels. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Free.

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MASSWILDLIFE ADVISORY-APRIL

DFW TO HOST PUBLIC SITE WALK ON TORNADO DAMAGE MAY 3

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) regularly holds public site walks to view recent or planned habitat management work, and invites the public to join DFW staff and other natural resource professionals to see and learn about tornado impacts on wildlife habitat at the McKinstry Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/wma/centralwma/mckinstrybrookwma.pdf )  in Southbridge and Sturbridge on Thursday afternoon, May 3, from 5:00 - 7:30 P.M.

Despite the damage caused by the 2011 tornado and the on-going cost of clearing debris, this dramatic wind event provides a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the historical role of natural disturbances in shaping a diversity of wildlife habitats across the Massachusetts landscape. The human cost of the tornado was high from both emotional and economic perspectives, yet from a wildlife perspective this natural disturbance event created unique habitats. DFW has invited local experts from the natural resource profession to discuss natural disturbance and wildlife habitat, and to be available to answer questions from the public. DFW staff will also talk about on-going efforts to work with neighbors and local fire officials to mitigate potential fire hazard to houses adjacent to the WMA.  

This event will take place rain (except for lightning) or shine--dress for the weather. Consider bringing insect repellant, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, leather or cotton gloves, and wearing sturdy boots. Plan on a 15-minute walk on a moderate slope into the impact area.  Directions are below. Due to limited parking, participants are strongly encouraged to carpool. All participants will meet at a designated parking area on Pleasant Street in Southbridge and be taken by van to the trailhead for the site walk.  In the event of a severe weather forecast on the day of the event, site walk cancellation information will be recorded at (508) 389-6324.

Directions to McKinstry Brook WMA in Southbridge
(at locations marked by an asterisk (*) below, look for “DFW Event” signs):
From the Massachusetts Turnpike, take Exit 9 for I-84 and Sturbridge.  
Take the second exit (Exit 3A) off of I-84 onto Route 20 East towards Charlton.
Follow Route 20 East to the intersection with Rt. 169.
Turn right on to Route 169 (towards Southbridge).
Travel 1.4 miles, then turn right on Berry Corner Road/McIntyre Road for 1.8 miles*.
Continue on to North Ayers Road/Barefoot Road* (no sign for change in road name) for 0.5 miles.
Continue straight onto Pleasant Street* (there is no sign for Pleasant Street, and Barefoot Road turns left here, but do not turn left on Barefoot Road, instead continue straight onto Pleasant Street.)
Continue on Pleasant Street for less than a mile to DFW parking area on the right. Overflow parking will be available at the Southbridge Municipal Airport, which is 0.25 miles further down Pleasant Street on the left. Look for signs to designated parking areas at the airport.

SAVE JUNE 1-3 FOR OUTDOORSWOMEN

Women with an interest in learning a variety of outdoor skills may want to save the dates of June 1-3, 2012 and register for the Becoming An Outdoorswoman (BOW) workshop to be held at the Chimney Corners YMCA Camp in Becket.  This weekend experience is designed for adult women, who choose from variety of workshop offerings geared towards the beginner. Over 20 activities will be offered including fishing, shooting sports, paddling sports, map & compass reading, tracking and animal signs, archery, nature photography, outdoor cooking, and identifying edible plants will be offered.  The BOW weekend makes a terrific gift for Mother’s Day or birthday, a fun womens weekend get-away or a special family bonding experience.  Scholarships are available.  Registration materials will be posted in the next week at:   http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_calendar.htm To receive the complete registration packet by email (when final), join the BOW email list by sending an ema il to: join-BOW-Ma...@listserv.state.ma.us.

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Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center

 

A Window into Fish Migration May is the time of year when anadromous fish, who began their lives in our local rivers, return home from the ocean to spawn. Peer into the world of fish migration at the Turners Falls Fishway where you may see migrating shad, sea lamprey and other fish swim by the underwater fish viewing window. After their birth in local tributaries and rivers, these fish spent a majority of their adult lives in the Atlantic Ocean. Now their instincts are guiding them back up the Connecticut River to start the cycle all over again. Come and see what it's all about and learn from our staff some of the amazing details of the lives of these fish. The Turners Falls Fishway is free and is open from Saturday, May 12 until Sunday, June 17, Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We look forward to your visit this spring!

May Public Programs   Kayak with your Kiddo Saturday, May 19; 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. For ages 7 and older Fee: $20 per adult/child pair   Using a tandem kayak is a great way for an adult and child to give paddling a try. As the group explores the special nooks and crannies of Barton Cove, kids can paddle as they are able and parents can provide the power and direction for the boat. The group will begin learning kayaking basics, turning right, left and going straight and then set off across the Cove while singing a classic paddling song. Bring along a snack and drink to enjoy while the group takes a break from the boats and skips stones. Then paddle, explore and return to our starting place. No prior kayaking experience required. Life jackets will be worn by all participants during the program.   Fly Fishing with Jim Lafley Saturday, May 19; 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee:  $20    Fly fishing has caused writers to wax poetic about life in A River Runs Through It and Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis. Maybe you will be equally inspired during this workshop with Jim Lafley from Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited. Jim, who has been teaching for almost 15 years, will guide you through the basics of rods, reels, lines, knots, flies, and general fly fishing etiquette. Casting practice in our front field will include the standard fly cast and roll cast.  A variety of rods will be available to give participants a feel for different rod lengths and types. Fly fishing Workshops often cost $100+, so this is a very special price and financial assistance is available for those of limited means. No prior fly fishing or writing experience required.   Primitive Rendezvous at Bennett Meadow Sunday, May 27 or Tuesday. May 29, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For all ages Fee: FREE - No pre-registration required   Smell food cooking on the camp fire, hear muskets firing in the distance, see period tents, clothing and tools and get a glimpse of how life was lived long ago. The Original Northeast Primitive Rendezvous Association invites you to visit their temporary historic encampment at Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area on Route 10 in Northfield, MA. Park your car and walk through a time warp to observe people recreating the period of the 1750s through the 1840s. Reproductions of period items will be sold by shopkeepers, so you can bring a piece of history home with you, or start gearing up for the next encampment.   No Child Left Indoors: Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators Thursday, May 31, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. For educators of children ages 3-7 Fee: $10   Join Kim Noyes and Jim Lafley at Northfield Mountain for an educational and entertaining evening with fellow educators.  With over 50 years of combined outdoor teaching experience, Jim and Kim have a wealth of activities to share and  inspire you to take children outdoors.  Build on children's innate curiosity with the natural world with fun and engaging activities  using free or inexpensive materials. This program will be filled with activities to enhance children’s observation, problem-solving, math, reading, language and science skills. The evening will be spent both indoors, modeling activities to bring the outdoors in, and outdoors, because no child should be left inside. This professional development workshop is great for teachers, camp counselors, child care providers, home school parents and other educators. Dress for the outdoors. Light refreshments provided. Unless otherwise noted, please call to pre-register for all programs at 1-800-859-2960. Click here for our Trails Report Our Website: www.firstlightpower.com/northfield

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Dave Small

president

Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center

100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331

Da...@dhsmall.net

978-413-1772