MBC Meeting tonight and trips this weekend
Paul Ippolito
Fellow MBC
members,
As a reminder, we have our first meeting of the Fall tonight on Tuesday,
September 22, as we welcome Rebeca Linhart who
will explore different methods for tracking shorebirds and share examples of
how tracking data is being used to inform and strengthen conservation efforts.
While registration is not mandatory, it is helpful for the Jenks Center to help plan - Registration.
This weekend, we have a trip on Saturday along the Charles River in Waltham and on Sunday we have trips at the Arlington Reservoir as well as another in a series of walks at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus.
Fall migration is upon us and some interesting observations are being posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, report what you are seeing and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
To help you plan ahead, we have included trips that are currently planned for the Fall. 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.
Tuesday, September 22
6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 PM Meeting Start
Tagging Along: How technology is improving shorebird conservation
Rebeca Linhart – Jenks Center, Winchester
Join us as we welcome Rebeca Linhart who will explore different methods for tracking shorebirds and share examples of how tracking data is being used to inform and strengthen conservation efforts.
Beginning in the Bay of Fundy, she will demonstrate how Motus tracking data contributed to the expansion of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network in the Bay. She will then highlight findings from Motus data in Atlantic Canada that point to the importance of conserving networks of smaller sites, rather than focusing solely on a few large protected areas.
Rebeca will also share data from satellite tags, including high-resolution flight pathways that reveal the remarkable journeys shorebirds undertake across the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, she will discuss an analysis currently underway that is quantifying the importance of conserving networks of small staging sites for shorebirds throughout the Northeast.
Together, these examples demonstrate how increasingly sophisticated tracking technologies can reveal the places shorebirds depend on - and help guide where conservation efforts can have the greatest impact.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, September 26
Charles River Walk, Bleachery Dam - Waltham
Emily Szczypek 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Join as we search for migrating warblers while we admire Osprey, Wood Ducks, and Great Blue Herons along the way. No dogs please. Dogs often scare away birds, so they are not allowed on this walk. We will cancel for rain, but the forecast looks good right now! Meeting place – Bleachery Dam in Waltham. Parking is available in the Shaw’s parking lot at 133 River Street, Waltham. 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Emily Szczypek plov...@yahoo.com
Sunday, September 27
Arlington Reservoir
John Edmondson 8:00 AM – 10:00 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. 8:00 - 10:00 AM John Edmondson Johnhed...@gmail.com
Sunday, September 27
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.
Friday, October 2
Fall Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery
John Edmondson 8:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local spots to experience fall migration. Meet inside the gates in front of the Story Chapel, the first major building inside the gates. The gates should open at 8 am and parking will be available inside the gates. Cosponsored with Brookline Bird Club. 8:15 - 10:30 AM John Edmondson Johnhed...@gmail.com
Saturday, October 3
Carlisle – Foss Farm
Alan Ankers 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
We’ll look for fall migrants such as sparrows and raptors in the community gardens and farm fields, including the old piggery, and also explore the wooded wetlands alongside the Concord River. Co-sponsored by the Carlisle Conservation Foundation. Meet at Foss Farm parking lot, just west of the bridge over the Concord River on route 225. 8:00 - 11:00AM Alan Ankers alan...@comcast.net
Saturday, October 17
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
Wednesday, October 21
6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 PM Meeting Start
Birds of Ghana
Sam Zhang – Woburn Public Library - 45 Pleasant Street
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Wednesday, October 21st @ 7:00 PM at the Woburn public Library as we welcome Sam Zhang who recounts his three week adventure in Ghana, the perfect gateway to experience the Upper Guinean Forest and West Sudanian Savanna of West Africa, areas not often visited by birders, but these ecoregions hold an astonishing amount of biodiversity. From the extraordinary White-necked Rockfowl to the obscure Dorst’s Cisticola, countless avian gems and other wildlife await.
Sam Zhang is a MA based birder with a special love for Essex County. His work in clinical research has brought him to many birding destinations throughout the country, sometimes even abroad. With an insatiable appetite, he is always planning for the next birding trip.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Sunday, October 25
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
Diana Fruguglietti,
Cindy Morrison
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