MBC Trips Saturday, Monday and beyond

[Paul Ippolito]

Fellow MBC members,

We have an early evening walk on Saturday at Horn Pond in Woburn and a walk on Monday at Brooks estate in Medford.  Please do keep an eye on the listserv for trip updates, as we seem to be entering an unsettled weather pattern over the next week, which can be great for bringing in migrants but at times not so great for birding in the rain.

 

We continue to load in some of trips throughout May and into early June including a few trips that are a bit further away in distance but that offer opportunities for our MBC members.

 

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.

 

Spring 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.

Saturday, May 9

Horn Pond, Woburn

Diana Fruguglietti 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Early Evening Walk

Let's look for spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and warblers. A focus of this walk will be the power lines in search of Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee. Please note this path is steeper and contains some rocky terrain so wear appropriate footwear.Meet at the Sturgis Street Entrance 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Diana Fruguglietti dian...@gmail.com

 

Monday, May 11

Brooks Estate, Medford

Audrey Stanwood, 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Please join us as we explore the Brooks Estate, a hidden urban oasis, for spring migrants. Migration is in full swing now and we will see many songbird species who travel through the northeast in search of food and ultimately the perfect bird mate. Co sponsored with Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust. Meeting location: 255-277 Grove Street (Brooks Estate Path on Google Maps), meet at the metal green gate. Parking is limited so please park on nearby side streets or refer to www.brooksestate.org for parking suggestions. Please do not park in adjacent Oak Grove Cemetery. 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Audrey Stanwood audr...@comcast.net

 

Thursday, May 14

Spring Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery

John Edmondson 6:15 AM – 8:15 AM

Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local spots to experience spring migration & this is the time of year to begin to experience that migration. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in front of the Story Chapel on Central Ave, across from the Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Ave circle). 6:15 AM - 8:15 AM John Edmondson johnhed...@gmail.com

 

Friday, May 15

Arlington Reservoir 

John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 9:00 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. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in the parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from Westmoreland Avenue.. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. John Edmondson johnhed...@gmail.com

 

Sunday, May 17

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.

 

Tuesday, May 19

Federated Woman’s State Forest, Petersham 

John Edmondson 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Join us as we explore this Quabbin Region spot for several species of warblers, thrushes, and other central Mass woods surprises. We’ll drive to multiple stops along the paved road followed by a hike of more than 2 miles on a hilly trail to the top of Soapstone Hill for different species. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Registration in advance requested for organizing purposes. Email the leader please. 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM. John Edmondson johnhed...@gmail.com

 

Friday, May 22

Spring Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery

John Edmondson 6:15 AM – 8:15 AM

Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local spots to experience spring migration & this is the time of year to begin to experience that migration. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in front of the Story Chapel on Central Ave, across from the Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Ave circle). 6:15 AM - 8:15 AM John Edmondson johnhed...@gmail.com

 

Sunday, May 24

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord

Jason Forbes 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Join us as we look for Marsh birds with rails and Least Bittern our main targets.  Note that an entrance fee or pass (America the Beautiful or Duck Stamp) is required.  Meet at the Refuge parking lot off Monsen Road (off Route 62) in Concord. 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM Jason Forbes ja...@brewsterlinnet.com

 

Saturday, May 30

Dunback Meadow, Lexington

Cliff Cook 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Join us we target late migrants including Mourning Warbler and flycatchers. Be prepared to walk three to five miles.  Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet at the tennis court parking near the Clark Middle School on Stedman Road in Lexington. 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM Cliff Cook cco...@gmail.com

Sunday, June 7

Martin Burns WMA,  Newbury  Orchard Street Entrance 

Linda Ferraresso 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

We will walk on fairly level gravel roads for 3 miles looking for breeding birds including Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, and Prairie Warbler. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. No restroom facilities. Meet at the Orchard Street entrance in Newbury. Linda Ferraresso 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM tatt...@comcast.net

If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana Fruguglietti 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