MBC Trip on Sunday and events early next week

[Paul Ippolito]

Fellow MBC members,

The Menotomy Bird Club has a trip this weekend on SUNDAY at Horn Pond in Woburn. (Apologies as I listed this on the wrong day earlier this week – go figure, its my own trip)

 

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 14 as we will have Bill Wilson from Birds and Beans lead a discussion about how coffee farming affects people, farms, forests, and birds all over the world.

We also have a trip for Wednesday next week at Mary Cummings Park in Woburn.

 

To help you plan, we have included trips through October.

 

Do however continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be continually adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and availability of our leaders.

 

Fall migration is happening now with some interesting observations being posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, report what you are seeing and enjoy all that our area has to offer.

Sunday, October 12
Woburn Horn Pond Conservation Area

Paul Ippolito 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Join us we take a walk exploring the varied habitats of the Horn Pond Conservation Area. The walk will focus on the main pond, accompanying lagoons, and marsh areas with a particular focus on the Community Gardens in search of migrating fall warblers and sparrows.  Fall in the Community Gardens brings possibilities such as Lincoln Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Indigo Bunting and we can always hope for an elusive Dickcissel or Fox Sparrow.  Meeting Place: Sturgis Street entrance to Horn Pond. 8:00 - 10:30 AM Paul Ippolito paulipp...@gmail.com

 

Tuesday, October 14

6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 PM Meeting Start

Birds and Beans

Bill Wilson – Jenks Center, Winchester

Half of the people in the US have a cup of coffee every day but few understand the environmental impact of coffee. Even fewer prioritize origin and know how coffee farming affects people, farms, forests, and birds all over the world.

 

Bill Wilson is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Birds & Beans coffee. With the help of three other families and support from Scott Weidensaul, Bridget Stutchbury and Kenn Kaufman, they launched their company in 2008 to save the Smithsonian ‘Bird Friendly®’ shade grown coffee certification. Bill shares the story of Birds & Beans, which is not only Bird Friendly®, but also USDA Organic, and Fair Trade, and show how this approach helps to save birds, tropical forests, family farmers and their workers, local rural economies and the Earth we all share.  

 

Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, October 15
Mary Cummings Park, Burlington

Diana Fruguglietti, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Join us as we explore Mary Cummings Park in Burlington, part of a 216 acre park with rustic trails as we search of migrating fall warblers and sparrows.  Meet at the ball field parking lot on Blanchard Road. 8:30 - 10:30 AM Diana Fruguglietti dian...@gmail.com

 

Saturday, October 18
Arlington Reservoir

John Edmondson 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

In the fall water levels are lowered creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. We will also visit the adjacent Lexington community farm. Birds are found feasting on the remains of the crops planted there. We will walk about a mile on wide paths and some uneven ground (possibly muddy). Note that the reservoir area is a public park and people walk dogs here frequently. Meet in the parking lot off Lowell St. in Arlington, directly across from Westmoreland Ave. Cosponsored with Brookline Bird Club. 7:30 - 9:30 AM John Edmondson Johnhed...@gmail.com

 

Sunday, October 19

Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus

Soheil Zendeh    9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 

Here are details for attending the walk at this property:

Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.

This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.

WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson s2...@comcast.net know you're coming so we can have a head count.

Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:  http://tinyurl.com/326v87d.

When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.

Sunday, October 26

Carlisle Cranberry Bog

Alan Ankers 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM

We’ll search Carlisle’s Cranberry Bog area for newly-arrived winter visitors and late fall migrants — waterbirds, raptors and songbirds. Co-sponsored by the Carlisle Conservation Foundation. Meet at the Cranberry Bog House, 750 Curve Street. 8:00 - 10:30 AM Alan Ankers alan...@comcast.net

 

If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Alan Ankers, Renee LaFontaine or myself, the club would be so lucky to have you lead.

Please continue to post your observations.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Paul Ippolito
Woburn