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2023

WOODLAND MUSHROOM WALK

at the EAST QUABBIN
LAND TRUST  
HENRY’S GROVE PRESERVE
HUBBARDSTON
Sunday
September 17, 2023 
10 a.m.
Leader: Lindsay Gwyther

     This season has been a great one for a good variety of interesting and colorful fungi species. A few members joined us for this casual search and learned some common mushrooms and how to identify them. The main focus was on general knowledge of fungi characteristics and appearance, with very little emphasis on edibility, although there was some discussion about preferred "choice" edibles.

Some species found: 
Destroying angel (Amanita bisporigea)
Golden spindles (Clavulinopsis fusiformis) 
Turkey tails  (Trametes versicolor)
Cinnabar polypore (Pycnoporus cinnabarinus)
Red Russula species
Witches butter jelly fungus (Tremella mesenterica)
Tiger's eye polypore (Coltricia perennis)
Crown-tipped coral (Artomyces pyxidatus)

   

​Leader Lindsay Gwyther is a huge mushroom enthusiast who went foraging for the first time in 2001 in Finland. Since then, she has endeavored to increase her knowledge of the fungal kingdom, ever eager to learn about all things co-existing in our shared natural environment. On the myco front, she is mostly self-taught, and has completed the Learn Your Land Foraging Wild Mushrooms online course and held membership in the Boston Mycological Club.

ASTERS, GOLDENRODS,
& OTHER FALL WILDFLOWERS
Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
Saturday September 9,  2023
   Leader: Robert Bertin

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER 

​ 
​This walk will provide an introduction to some of the common fall-flowering plants of central Massachusetts, with a particular focus on asters and goldenrods.  We will take a close look at the key features that are needed to separate the different species of these familiar groups.  If you have them, a hand lens and a copy of Newcomb’s wildflower guide will be useful.
 

Robert Bertin is a professor emeritus of biology at College of the Holy Cross, where his teaching has included courses in Field Botany and Ecology.  His recent research examines the flora of southern New England, and how it has changed over time due to land use changes, species introductions, and climate change.  He is a co-author of monographs on the flora of Worcester and Franklin Counties, and is completing a 4-year project on the flora of Wachusett Mountain.

​WOODLAND MUSHROOM WALK

​EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST  
PRINCE RIVER PRESERVE, BARRE
​Saturday August 12, 2023  10 a.m.
Leader: Lindsay Gwyther

 With very wet summer conditions came a colorful and abundant crop of fungi. Seven participants joined us for this casual walk to learn some common mushrooms and how to identify them. The main focus was on general knowledge of fungi characteristics and appearance, with very little emphasis on edibility. 
We enjoyed many natural features and sightings besides mushrooms, including several stands of blooming Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens), Common clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum), the saprophytic Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys), and at least one Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus).​

​​Leader Lindsey Gwyther is a huge mushroom enthusiast who went foraging for the first time in 2001 in Finland. Since then, she has endeavored to increase her knowledge of the fungal kingdom, ever eager to learn about all things co-existing in our shared natural environment. On the myco front, she is mostly self-taught, and has completed the Learn Your Land Foraging Wild Mushrooms online course and held membership in the Boston Mycological Club.

SOME SPECIES OF FUNGI 
IDENTIFIED ON THE WALK

​Black earth tongue (Glutinoglossum glutinosum)
Scarlet waxy cap (Hygrocybe coccinea)
Pepper milkcap (Lactifluus piperatus)
Violet webcap or cort (Cortinarius violaceus)
Amanita species
Coral mushroom, probably Crown-tipped (Artomyces pyxidatus) 
Golden club or Golden spindles (Clavulinopsis fusiformis)
Painted suillus (Suillus spraguei)
Yellow-headed jelly baby (Leotia lubrica)
Scrambled egg slime mold (Fuligo septica)
Old man of the woods (Strobilomyces strobilaceus)
Berkeley's polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)
Tiger's eye (Coltricia perennis)
Hemlock varnish shelf or Hemlock reishi (Ganoderma tsugae) 
Bitter bolete  ( Tylopilus felleus)
Common earthball or pigskin poison puffball (Scleroderma citriunum)
​ 

INTRODUCTION TO
MOTHS & “MOTHING”
Willow Farm, Ware
Wednesday July 26,2023  7:30 p.m. – dark
Leader: Brian Klassanos

​After several years of dedicated hard work and study of hundreds of moths found where he lives, Brian has become a self-taught expert on techniques for attracting and identifying moths. His ID skills are top-notch, and he’s found
many rare and locally-uncommon species on his property.
A small group of participants with different levels of experience concerning moth identification spent a casual evening talking about mothing techniques and ID resources. As darkness--and many mosquitoes!--set in, we watched for moths to show up at Brian's lighted sheets. On this particular evening many other species of insects also visited the sheets, including grapevine beetles, dobsonflies, and many species of mayflies.  A few of the beautiful moths that were attracted to the lights were photographed and are shown below. 
 

Azalea sphinx (Darapsa choerilus)

Eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)

Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina)

Grapevine beetle (Pelidnota punctata)

Omnivorous leafroller (Platynota stultana)

Olive-winged drake (Hexagenia rigida)

​​“SLOW BIRDING”
&
NATURE WALK
WARE RIVER WATERSHED  BARRE
Sunday  July 23, 2023  
8 a.m.- noon 

     We did some slow-paced birding on a beautiful clear and sunny day with low humidity and found a few midsummer wildflowers, dragonflies,  and butterflies. 
       Due to the pattern of high  rainfall this year and over the past few days, water levels on the river and connected waterways were extremely high. Also, storms had caused significant washouts and gullies of the roadways. The gates on the roads in the watershed were all closed. We changed the planned route somewhat but had the experience that was planned.
       While this can be a good time of year to encounter adult birds with their fledglings as well as solitary adults that have dispersed from their breeding grounds, we didn't notice any post-breeding dispersal.  This year's unusually high level of rain may have affected nesting  schedules. Many common breeding species of the area were singing. The only known immature birds we encountered were two juvenile Bald Eagles.
       Butterfly species seen included Common Wood Nymphs, Red-spotted Purple, and a large number of Pearl Crescents. Dragonflies were Slaty Skimmer and Eastern Pondhawk. 
      To see a complete bird list, go to:
​  https://ebird.org/checklist/S145511820

Monthly program:
EXPLORING
​the DCR  WARE RIVER WATERSHED
PRISON CAMP AREA RUTLAND
with Ken Canfield, Chief Forester
for Quabbin/Ware River Watersheds
&  Maria Beiter-Tucker
Interpretive Services,
​DCR Division of Water Supply and Protection
Wednesday  May 31, 2023  5:45 p.m.

​     This month’s educational program took place outdoors with guides Ken and Maria, who shared information about the land use history and management goals for this interesting segment of watershed property. We’ll learn a bit about the ecology of the wetland system, forested sections, and fields. This area is popular with hikers, birders, and others who enjoy the outdoors, and Club volunteers monitor and maintain nestboxes at the site.     

Eastern Bluebird on nestbox at Prison Camp fields, June 2021 Photo by Doug Wipf

Fall colors at Prison Camp area. Photos by Ted Purcell

Tree Swallows at Prison Camp fields, June 2021 Photo by Doug Wipf

​BIOMAP: BRINGING CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS
with Alec Kaisand and Sarah Wasserman
BioMap Outreach Specialists
MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
Wednesday April 26, 2023 7 p.m.
Rutland Public Library in-person & via ZOOM

We enjoyed a presentation about the newly-enhanced BioMap from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. BioMap is an online resource that identifies critical land and waterways throughout Massachusetts most in need of conservation. BioMap’s comprehensive approach identifies the most critical habitats for rare species, fish, and wildlife, along with intact and climate resilient ecosystems and landscapes. It includes regional connectivity data, statewide conservation priorities, and resources unique to each municipality
​for making informed local decisions.
Sarah and Alec covered what’s new with BioMap, we tried a couple of live demonstrations, and there was plenty of time for questions and discussion.
To access a wealth of information about important biological areas of any town or city in Massachusetts, go to:
https://biomap-mass-eoeea.hub.arcgis.com/

​EARLY SPRING BIRD & NATURE WALK
QUABBIN GATE 43    HARDWICK
Sunday   March 26, 2023   9:30 a.m.

Common Goldeneye Photo by Bill Platenik

​Eight members and friends joined us on this sunny day for an easy and scenic walk along the paved roadway to Fishing Gate 3. Postponed from 3/19 due to cold and blustery weather on that date, the field trip to explore areas exposed to the open water of the reservoir was more pleasant than it would have been.  We checked the Shaft 11A cove and the boat launch area for ducks. At least four Bald Eagles were seen, but two Golden Eagles that were in the area 8-9 days ago didn't show up.  Passerines were scarce, but one Eastern Phoebe was found in a warm, south-facing spot that was sheltered from the wind.  Very little other wildlife sign was obvious since no snow remained on the ground, and water level was high enough to obscure mud along the shoreline. 
The checklist of birds seen: https://ebird.org/checklist/S131931332

ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
& SILENT AUCTION
SUNDAY  MARCH 12, 2023   
Noon- 4:30 p.m.
Harvard Forest ~ Fisher Museum

Photo by John S. Ascher

 WE CELEBRATED OUR TENTH YEAR!

BEE-DAZZLED!
AN EXPLORATION OF THE BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BEES
by Michael Veit

​Massachusetts’ list of almost 400 bee classes includes a surprising diversity. They display a wide range of lifestyles that are reflected in both their physical structure and behaviors.  In his presentation Michael explored the variety of Massachusetts bees through the window of structural diversity. He provided stunning close-up looks at how some species are adapted to different aspects of their life history including pollen gathering, host plant specificity, nesting, and brood parasitism.  Thank you to Michael for 
an excellent presentation about these beautiful and fascinating creatures.

Photo by Tom Murray

Michael is a retired high school-level biology teacher with a degree in entomology. For the past
15 years he’s occupied his summers largely by traveling throughout Massachusetts, and around much of New England surveying, documenting, and
exploring bee diversity.
He’s made a number of exciting discoveries, for example being the first to find associations between certain kleptoparasite species and their hosts.
In addition, he has been the first to document the presence of various species in New England. His studies culminated in authoring a recent publication that includes the first county-level checklist of Massachusetts bees.

BEYOND FLOWERS:
HOST AND NESTING NEEDS OF
FLOWER-VISITING ARTHROPODS
by Adam Kohl

​Adam reviewed a variety of specific flower-visiting insects photographed and collected in Wendell, Massachusetts, with an emphasis on unusual species with unexpected host and nesting needs. Sharing an excellent collection of his own photographs, he focused moths, beetles, flies, wasps, and sawflies that may be found in our yards and gardens if we provide the right environment and take the time to look for them. Many thanks to Adam for sharing his unique discoveries of some of our often-overlooked backyard creatures.

Adam Kohl is a skilled naturalist with professional experience as a field botanist, entomological surveyor, and plant propagator. He has worked as an independent contractor for Norcross Sanctuary, Maine Audubon, Gegear Lab, and Landscape Interactions, among others. He also worked as a seed collector and propagation and nursery assistant at Native Plant Trust. Currently Adam serves as the conservation agent for the towns of Leverett and Wendell.

​NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL CONSERVATION:
A GUIDELINE FOR CONSERVING
A RARE SPECIES
with Marianne Piche
Habitat Biologist
​MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Photo by M. Poole, USFWS

​Wednesday, February 22, 2023
​7 p.m.

This meeting was held remotely due to inclement weather. Thanks to Marianne Piche, who presented a detailed and informative talk highlighting the New England Cottontail Conservation Initiative, including information about habitat management, monitoring, research, captive breeding, and outreach. She covered the history of this initiative involving six states and many other partners. She explained the variety of contributions to the effort taking place throughout their range. She provided some examples of how these activities can serve as a guideline for conservation of local species or habitats.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2023  8 - 11 a.m.
BACKYARD CROWD-SOURCE EFFORT 
Led by Ted Purcell

Four participants--two from Princeton, one from Rutland, one from Hardwick--submitted sightings.
​Highlights were a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Bobbye Samdahl) and a Hooded Merganser pair (Jennifer Hilton), both in Princeton. 
Totals are below. Numbers are in this order: Rutland, Princeton1, Hardwick, Princeton2

Canada Goose 0, 0, 2, 0 = 2
Hooded Merganser 0, 0, 0, 2 = 2
Turkey Vulture 0, 1, 0, 0 = 1
Mourning Dove 3, 2, 1, 0 = 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, 2, 2, 1 = 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 0, 1, 0, 0 = 1
Downy Woodpecker 2, 2, 2, 1 = 7
Hairy Woodpecker 1, 1, 1, 1 = 4
Blue Jay 15, 4, 16 = 35
American Crow 0, 0, 0, 7 = 7
Common Raven 0, 0, 0, 1 = 1
Black-capped Chickadee 6, 7, 10, 2 = 25
Tufted Titmouse 1, 3, 3, 4 = 11
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, 2, 1, 2 = 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 4, 3, 1, 2 = 10

Photo by Bobbye Samdahl

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Photo by Bobbye Samdahl

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, 2, 1, 2 = 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 4, 3, 1, 2 = 10
Carolina Wren 0, 1,  1, 0 = 2
European Starling 15, 0, 1, 0 = 16
Eastern Bluebird 0, 3, 0, 2 = 5
American Robin 15, 0, 0, 0, = 15
House Finch 3, 6, 0, 0 = 9
Purple Finch 0, 4, 0, 0 = 4
American Goldfinch 0, 4, 2, 0 = 6
Dark-eyed Junco 21, 2, 3, 2 = 28
Song Sparrow 0, 0, 0, 1 = 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1, 0, 2, 0 = 3
Northern Cardinal 2, 2, 2, 2 = 8

Blue Jay Photo by Alan Rawle

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT PART TWO:
BIRDING IN RUTLAND
Sunday February 19, 2023    8 - noon
Leader: Ted Purcell

Hooded Merganser pair on Long Pond Photo by Alan Rawle

Not only is Rutland the highest Massachusetts town between the Berkshires and the Atlantic and the geographical center of the state; it’s also the town that graciously hosts our monthly educational programs (at the public library) and many of our field trips. We thought it a logical place to conduct the Club’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count birding effort.

​Five participants checked a variety of locations and generated five eBird checklists. Highlights were a Killdeer, a Cooper's Hawk, and Horned Larks at Jordan's Dairy Farm; Pileated Woodpecker at the Old Rutland Heights Hospital property; and a Bald Eagle at Long Pond.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S128994876                                      ebird.org/checklist/S129003747   
https://ebird.org/checklist/S128997872                                      ​ebird.org/checklist/S129006668
https://ebird.org/checklist/S128998900​

Cooper's Hawk at Jordan's Dairy Farm Photo by Alan Rawle

American Tree Sparrow and Pileated Woodpecker (below) at old Rutland Heights Hospital site Photos by Alan Rawle

-​WINTER TRACKING WALK
with David Brown
Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area
​Hubbardston 
Saturday
​February 11, 2023
9 a.m. – noon

     On this walk we searched for the tracks and sign of indigenous wild animals that we worked to identify and interpret for behavior. Usually concealed by foliage and the night, these animals left behind information which we examined, hoping to gain insight into their hidden lives.
     Bright sun was a welcome feature of the day, but a cold wind made participants glad they had worn extra layers. Tracking conditions were challenging to say the least. Remnants of frozen snow remained in the woods and less sunny sections of the fields. Tracks, although present, had deteriorated. Still, David was able to guide participants to determine that we were seeing foot- or hoof-prints of deer, coyote, and raccoon. David explained how to recognize domestic versus wild canine tracks. He provided guidelines regarding distance between track impressions as a help in identifying the track's maker. In one instance, David pointed out features of a small rodent tunnel revealed by the melting snow that led to likely identification of the animal as a short-tailed shrew. 
     The scat of deer and a couple of other animals that had been left behind provided opportunity for learning about dietary habits of various mammals.
     Although a wide variety of tracks and signs weren't encountered, David was able to teach us numerous little-known facts about the creatures we rarely see.

     Walk leader David Brown is a well-known tracker with several decades of experience tracking and interpreting the wildlife of New England and the Southwest. He is the author of two books on wildlife tracking and a set of field-usable identification cards. In the past 30 years he has led hundreds of
outdoor tracking programs.
​

Photo of David Brown by Sara Lyon

Photo by Sara Lyon

This program was supported by a grant from the Hubbardston Cultural Council,
​a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

​THREE YEARS IN THE LIVES OF
HARDWICK’S SANDHILL CRANES
by Alan F. Rawle
[Online only via ZOOM due to inclement weather.]
Wednesday January 25, 2023  7 p.m.

​Since May 2020, Alan and his wife Wendy have been following the behaviors
and activities of a pair of Sandhill Cranes in Hardwick. In this program, Alan described successful and unsuccessful nestings
documented over that period.
The talk first provided a background to the history of sandhill cranes in New England, noting the increased numbers in the region since 2000 or so, and then focus on detailed observations of the pair of cranes that have been encountered in Hardwick over a 3-year period.  Alan diligently pieced together the timescales & locations of the crane family
--2 adults and 2 young/juveniles (colts)--
for the past 2 years (2021 & 2022). 
The presentation included pictures of cranes eating, walking, flying, bathing, and “at play” over the 3-year period, together with other
pertinent and relevant information.