MBC Trips this weekend
Paul Ippolito
Fellow MBC members,
We have trips this weekend on Saturday at Horn Pond and Sunday at Arlington Reservoir. Do however continue to look at the weekly
e-mails as we continually add trips based upon what is being seen, weather and
availability of our leaders.
To help you plan ahead, our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 PM at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Robert J. Gegear an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at UMass Dartmouth presenting - More than just the buzz: A practical guide to restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why it matters)
Plant-pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate across New England, pushing many species to the brink of local extinction unless urgent conservation measures are implemented. In this talk, Robert will discuss using species-level ecological data to vastly improve recommended plant lists aimed at restoring bumblebee and butterfly diversity on degraded landscapes including how ‘Beecologist’ citizen scientists have used data-driven conservation approach to successfully restore pollination diversity ranging from home gardens to multi-acre conservation lands. Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Early spring is providing
some interesting observations being posted throughout Massachusetts so keep
exploring your local patches, report what you’re seeing and enjoy all
that our area has to offer.
Saturday, April 19
Horn Pond, Woburn
Join us as we explore the varied habitat of the Horn Pond Conservation area. We will be searching for early spring migrants such as Tree Swallow, Eastern Phoebes, Pine, as well as Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers, and lingering ducks such as Northern Shoveler and Green-winged teal, and early warblers. Meet at the Sturgis Street entrance 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM Paul Ippolito paulipp...@gmail.com
Sunday, April 20
Arlington Reservoir
John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
We'll circle the reservoir looking for
early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. This is a fairly
short walk in distance on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in the
parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from
Westmoreland Avenue. 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM. John Edmondson johnhed...@gmail.com
Sunday, April 27
Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus
Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Here are details for attending walks at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland wildlife sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good 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.
Wheelabrator 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 s2a...@gmail.com know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator 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. Note that, due to recent security concerns, the gate to the plant parking lot may be shut if you arrive early. Please pull off to a safe place and wait -- someone will be along to let us in.
Tuesday, April 29
6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start
A practical guide to restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why it matters)
Robert J. Gegear – Jenks Center, Winchester
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 PM at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Robert J. Gegear an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at UMass Dartmouth presenting - More than just the buzz: A practical guide to restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why it matters)
Plant-pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate across New England, pushing many species to the brink of local extinction unless urgent conservation measures are implemented. In this talk, Robert will discuss using species-level ecological data to vastly improve recommended plant lists aimed at restoring bumblebee and butterfly diversity on degraded landscapes including how ‘Beecologist’ citizen scientists have used data-driven conservation approach to successfully restore pollination diversity ranging from home gardens to multi-acre conservation lands.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Thursday, May 1
Wright-Locke Farm, Winchester
Lisa Craig 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Join us as we explore parts of this 20 acre community farm that includes historic farm buildings, growing fields; pasture lands to the north of the farmstead and wooded areas to the west abutting the Whipple Hill and Locke Conservation Areas. Let’s see what gems are hidden away in this new area. Meeting Place: Park and meet at Mullen Field located across the street from 43 Lockeland Road and the auxiliary fire station. 8:00 - 10:00 AM Lisa Craig lisa.t...@comcast.net
Tuesday May 6
Greenwood Park, Stoneham
Linda Ireland 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Join us as we explore the trails of Greenwood Park in search of spring migrants and local breeding birds that have begun to arrive. Along the way, we will take time to admire the diverse botany in the area. The trails in some locations have uneven terrain or a bit steep so a walking stick may be of benefit. Meet at Greenwood Park across from Stone Zoo, Stoneham. 8:30 – 10:00 AM Linda Ireland lsir...@icloud.com
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