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.
<<>> Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m. Butterflies Near and Far
Join expert naturalist Sue Cloutier here at the Center for our regular monthly meeting, an evening of butterfly photos that will take you from your own neighborhood to the Arctic in search of these beautiful insects.
<<>> Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. The Wolves of New England
Michael LeBlanc, who has been studying wolves since 1978, both in the wild and in captivity, will clarify the many misconceptions that exist about wolves, share his first-hand knowledge of their habits, and tell the history of this remarkable animal that once roamed and hunted in this area. Accompanying LeBlanc will be Denahee, a wolf he has raised since birth. Note: This monthly meeting will be held at Liberty Hall at the Athol Town Hall (584 Main St.) and is ABNC’s gift to the town of Athol in celebration of its 250th anniversary.
Tuesday, April 17, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Join Joe Superchi on this, the third Tuesday of the month (instead of his usual second) in a search for birds at local sites. Open to birders of all abilities. Meet at the Center. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491.
Saturday, April 28, 6 a.m. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Visit this beautiful historic cemetery, a famous spring hotspot for migrating songbirds. Meet at the Center for carpooling at 6 a.m. or at the gate at 7:30 a.m. (Let us know if you’ll be meeting us at the gate.) If time allows, we’ll also visit the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Info: Joan or Larry Duprey, 978-249-4964.
Friday, May 4, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring some of his favorite places – this time Thousand Acre Dam and Little Falls. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 249-9436. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 5, 6:30 a.m. Annual Northfield Birding Trip
Bob Coyle and Mark Taylor lead us on ABNC's traditional excursion to Northfield in search of spring migrants. Meet at the Center at 6:30 a.m. or join us at the country club parking lot in Northfield at 9 a.m. Severe weather cancels. Info: Bob Coyle, 978-249-6083.
Tuesday, May 8, 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.
<<>> Wednesday, May 9, 7 p.m. Aquatic Invasives
Join us here at the Center for our regular meeting, when Paula Packard, aquatic biologist for the Quabbin Reservoir, will discuss the threat of aquatic invasive species. She will identify the most worrisome species, their impacts on ecosystems, and efforts to minimize their spread.
Friday, May 11, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in learning more about the ravens of Page Pond. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 249-9436. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Bearsden: Round Top and Sheep Rock
Dan Bolton will lead this six-mile moderate hike through Athol’s premier conservation land. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Discover the Duck Pond, and see great views from Round Top and the Sheep Rock lookout tower. 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. Info: Dan Bolton, 978-895-3979. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
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 Dave and Shelley’s house, 1542 Pleasant St., Athol, to search for lunas, underwings, silkmoths and other night flying insects. Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Da...@dhsmall.net.
Friday, May 18, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring the Newton Reservoir spillway to Buckman Brook. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 249-9436. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 19, 7 a.m. Joan & Larry & the Birds of Athol
This excursion around Newton Reservoir will be led by expert birders Joan and Larry Duprey. Meet at the Center. Heavy rain cancels. Info: Larry Duprey, 978-235-6581 or Larry_...@hotmail.com. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Sunday, May 20, 7 a.m. Jeff and the Birds of Athol
Join Jeff as he explores Athol for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at Center. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Friday, May 25, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring a forgotten road from a fisherman’s kiosk to Raven Trestle and the Burned River Plain. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 249-9436. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bearsden Revisited
Join Allen Young, author of North of Quabbin Revisited, for a hike in Bearsden Woods along the Observation Hill and Thousand Acre Brook trails, a moderate loop of about 3-4 miles. Meet at the Center for car-pooling to the trail head. Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a picnic lunch. Info: Allen Young, ay...@columbia.edu or 978-249-7612. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Tuesday, June 12, 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, June 16, 9 p.m. - late night 4th Annual Moth Ball
Join ABNC president Dave Small and naturalist Lula Field at Dave and Shelley’s house, 1542 Pleasant St., Athol, to search for lunas, underwings, silkmoths and other night flying insects. Participants are invited to bring their tents, snacks to share and favorite moth baits. (Don’t know what those are? You’ll find out!) Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Da...@dhsmall.net.
Saturday, June 23, 7 a.m. Joan & Larry & the Birds of Athol
This excursion into Cass Meadow with expert birders Joan and Larry Duprey will meet at the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park, near 50 Main St. in Athol. Heavy rain cancels. Info: Larry Duprey, 978-235-6581 or Larry_...@hotmail.com. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, June 23, 9 p.m. - late night Bugs at Night
Join ABNC president Dave Small and naturalist Lula Field as we travel to the home of biologist Julie Lisk and photographer and naturalist Tom Murray at 63 Spencer Road in Groton, MA for an evening of observing moths, beetles, caddisflies and other insects attracted to lights. Bring your point and shoot digital (or other) camera and flashlight. RSVP: Julie Lisk at juli...@gmail.com or 978/272-1151.
Mass Audubon's 20th annual Birders Meeting will take place Saturday, March 3, at Bentley University in Waltham. The program, BIRDS, BALEEN, and 20 YEARS of MARINE CONSERVATION, will be co-hosted by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, an organization also celebrating a 20th anniversary.
The all-day event will feature outstanding plenary presentations by well-known ornithologists and scientists Dr. STEVEN KRESS, best known for his efforts to successfully re-establish Atlantic Puffins to the Gulf of Maine; DEBI SHEARWATER, founder of the popular Shearwater Journeys, Inc. tour company; Dr. DAVID WILEY, scientist at Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary highly acclaimed for his underwater studies of humpback whale foraging behavior; and SHAWN CAREY and JIM GRADY of Migration Productions, professional nature photographers and videographers who will premiere their latest video presentation on shorebirds.
Other speakers will include ANNE-MARIE RUNFOLA, Volunteer Coordinator for NOAA/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary; Dr. JULIE C. ELLIS, seabird expert and professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University; BRIAN HARRINGTON, retired shorebird biologist at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences and authority on the Red Knot; and JOAN WALSH, Director of Bird Monitoring at Mass Audubon and Coordinator of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 2.
Attendance at the Birders Meeting will include lunch, access to a variety of quality vendors, and the opportunity to take a chance on a variety of tempting raffle items and silent auction offerings. To register online or to get more information visit: www.massaudubon.org/birdersmeeting Hunt's Photo and Video will take the lead in sponsoring this not to be missed event!
Wayne R. Petersen, Director
Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts
~Mount Grace Upcoming Events~
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Johnson's Farm Walk and Maple Sugar Tour
Johnson's Farm and Sugar House
210 Wheeler Avenue, Orange Saturday, March 31 9:30-11:30 or arrive at 8:30 for breakfast
Steve and DeDe Johnson protected their family farm in 2002 as part of the historic Tully Initiative. Follow Steve on a walk through the maple sugaring process, from forest, to sugar house, to syrup. The tour and walk run from 9:30-11:30. Join Mount Grace staff for an optional pre-tour pancake breakfast at the restaurant beginning at 8:30. Breakfast will be separate checks. Seating is only guaranteed for the first 25 people who RSVP.
Invasives & climate Change Workshop
455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston Saturday, April 14 9am-noon
Help track invasive species and the effects of climate change on local habitats. Presenters Stacy Kilb and John O'Keefe will explain how to spot warning signs of invasives and tabulate data on the local environment. Participants will be asked to note down observations they make on future hikes and report the data back to the US Phenological Network and to Beetle Detectives.
This Citizen Stewardship Workshop at Red Apple Farm aims to train volunteers to monitor invasives and climate change. You, too, can become a Citizen Steward and help our forests by tracking phenological change and looking for invasives in your own area.
To volunteer, or for more information, contact AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Aja Lippincott, at outreach_...@mountgrace.org.
Upcoming Programs at the Quabbin Visitor Center
Quabbin Reservoir will offer several free presentations this season. All ages are welcome. Please call (413) 323-7221 for more information.
Sunday, March 11, 2-3pm
Uncommon Loons
Quabbin Reservoir is home to half of the nesting population of Common Loons in Massachusetts.. Join DCR Wildlife Biologist Jill Pereira for a program about these beautiful birds.
Sunday, March 25, 2-3pm
Can zebra mussels survive at Quabbin? DCR Aquatic Biologist Paula Packard will discuss the potential impact of zebra mussels and many other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) to the fishing and water quality of Quabbin Reservoir as well as the programs DCR has in place to reduce these risks.
Mass Wildlife News
REMEMBER ENDANGERED SPECIES ON YOUR STATE TAX FORM
Help protect Box Turtles, Peregrine Falcons and other endangered wildlife by supporting the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund when you file your state income tax this year. Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers of Form 1 have had the option of donating to this effort through the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Fund when filing their state income tax (Line 32a: "Endangered Wildlife Conservation"), and tens of thousands of people have done so over the years. All contributions go directly into the Fund, an important portion of the annual operating budget of DFW’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which conserves and protects endangered species and their habitats in Massachusetts. Over 20,000 tax filers support the program with over $200,000 in critically-important donations each year. Won't you join them? With your contributions to the Fund, you directly help to study, protect, and restore endangered animals and plants and their habitats. Donations help restore populations and conserve and maintain habitat for many vulnerable kinds of wildlife, from raptors to reptiles. You can also contribute directly to the Fund by sending a check payable to: “Comm. of Mass-NHESP Fund” and send it to: NHESP, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA, 01581.
GOT OUTDOOR-ORIENTED TEENS? CONSIDER JUNIOR CONSERVATION CAMP
It’s not too early to start thinking about summer camp for your teenage son or daughter. If you have a teen (or know one) who is interested in the outdoors, likes camping, fishing, canoeing, or wants to learn more about these and other outdoor skills, the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp may be just the right experience. Held at the Chesterfield Scout Reservation in western Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp is a two-week overnight summer camp for girls and boys 13 -17 years of age offering a program of conservation education and instruction in outdoor recreation skills. Campers will participate in a variety of outdoor skills including Archery, Basic Camping, Fly & Spin Casting, Black powder, Sporting Clays, Orienteering, 3- Position Riflery, and First Aid. The Massachusetts Basic Hunter Education and the Massachusetts Small Boat Safety courses are also part of the curriculum. This year’s camp dates are August 5 - August 17, 2012 and tuition is $600. For campers needing financial assistance, contact local sportsmen’s clubs and other conservation groups which offer “camperships” to teens from their community to attend camp. In most cases, teens need only send a letter explaining why they are interested in attending. For camp registration and other details about the Junior Conservation Camp go to www.juniorconservationcamp.org/faqcampers.htm.
If you're a turtle sort of biologist, and in or around Massachusetts, these are some interesting opportunities.
From Mass Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Good Morning Everyone,
We recently posted job announcements for three seasonal positions; one Blanding’s turtle surveyor and two box turtle surveyors.
The surveyors will: help plan, coordinate and conduct visual surveys, trap turtles (Blanding’s turtle surveyor position), collect, compile, and enter data, and assist in the preparation a final report. Preferred qualifications include: undergraduate degree in biology, wildlife, conservation biology, or related field; familiarity and field experience with turtles, particularly Box or Blanding's turtles, and the rare flora and fauna of Massachusetts; experience with Natural Heritage methodology; experience with computers, including ArcGIS and Excel; experience with GPS technology; ability to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs; ability to work both collaboratively and independently; good communication skills; accuracy and attention to detail; and the ability to work under strenuous field conditions. ****
The full job announcements can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp_jobs.htm****
Check out our Turtle Conservation webpage at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/conservation/herps/turtle_tips.htm****
Dave Small
president
Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331
