MBC Trips this Weekend
Paul Ippolito
Fellow MBC members,
We have a selection of trips to choose from this coming
weekend for the Menotomy
Bird Club,
Including a trip on Saturday in Carlisle (monitor the e-mail for updates with regards to the weather), as well as 2 trips on Sunday, one in the morning at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus and one in the afternoon at the Middlesex Fells.
In order to help you plan for the next few weeks, we have included trips beyond this weekend including our upcoming Meeting on November 14th.
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.
Saturday, October 21
Carlisle Cranberry Bog
We’ll search the area Carlisle’s Cranberry Bog 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. 8:00-10:30AM Alan Ankers alan...@comcast.net
Sunday, October 22 – Afternoon Walk
Middlesex Fells, Medford
With peak fall approaching in the Fells, songbird migration is in full swing! Join Sage for an afternoon walk. Following the weekend rains, we will search for fallen-out sparrows, thrushes, and late warblers in the wetlands and hills of the Southwest Fells. We'll wander first along the swamp trail, then return to loop around the 90mm site, and back to Winford Way. Boots and rain-gear are advised, as the shrubs and trails will likely be wet. Meet at Winford Way entrance at 3PM, and plan to be out until about 4:30. Sage Levy jonahs...@gmail.com.
Sunday, October 22
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.
Saturday, October 28
Dunback
Meadows, Lexington
Our target bird is the Fox Sparrow, and this is the time and place to find it. Meeting place: Allen Street entrance to Dunback Meadows in Lexington. There is parking along Allen Street. 8:00 AM Bobbie Hodson robert...@comcast.net
Saturday, October 28
Millennium
Park, West Roxbury – 300 Gardner Street, Boston
Join us on a bird walk to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban setting that is a favorite habitat for many bird species. We will look for late departing summer birds and arriving winter migrants. The walk is suitable for all levels from advanced to beginner. Millennium Park has port-a-potties as well as a large parking lot. Trails are mostly flat, though we may do some short hills if the group is interested. We may walk up to one mile. Meeting Place: Parking lot nearest the canoe launch. When entering the park, look for signs for the canoe launch, don’t drive up the big hill, drive to the end of the parking lot. 7:30 AM Neil Calabro neil.c...@gmail.com & Michael McCarthy
Tuesday, November 14
6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge: A special place protected by special people
Bob Quinn – Jenks Center, Winchester
The Menotomy Bird Club will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, November 14th @ 7:00 PM at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as Bob Quinn will take us to Pondicherry - It is a name of mystery, yet it is a great birding spot that became the very first Important Bird Area in NH. It is the fastest growing National Wildlife Refuge in the state and the view of the Presidential Range across Cherry Pond is one of the most spectacular scenes in the White Mountains. Its ponds and marshes, and woodlands arguably harbor the greatest diversity of wildlife, especially birds, in New Hampshire.
In this entertaining program Bob will share the human story behind the refuge, focusing on the three key people responsible for the establishment of this premier wildlife area - Horace Wright, Tudor Richards, and David Govatski.
Bob will delve into what makes Pondicherry special including marvelous aerial photos, quaking bogs (with orchids and carnivorous plant life), marshes, Black Spruce and Northern White Cedar forests, and the wonderful wildlife that lives there. From Moose to loons, ducks, and warblers, the legacy of those three people lives on in a truly remarkable place we can all visit and enjoy.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the
meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, January 20
Dunback
Meadows, Lexington
In addition to enjoying our regular winter birds, we'll search for possible unusual visitors such as Redpolls. Meeting place: Allen Street entrance to Dunback Meadows in Lexington. There is parking along Allen Street. Bobbie Hodson robert...@comcast.net This trip is cosponsored with the Citizens for Lexington Conservation and the BBC
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Paul Ippolito
Woburn