>> UPCOMING EVENTS <<
Yellow Warbler by Tom Murray
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BIRDING STROLL
CENTRAL MASS RAIL TRAIL, RUTLAND Sunday May 20th 8 – 11 a.m. Join Ted Purcell and Wendy Howes for an accessible, relaxed-pace outing to look for birds along a portion of the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail. Spring migration is ON, and this is the best time of year to view and listen to our returning neotropical migrants. Males are in their colorful breeding plumage and singing to attract females (and human birders). We’ll walk through different habitats and can expect to see various warblers, vireos, thrushes, and more. The walk will begin where there is a rail trail parking area at Miles Road, which is off Route 56. We’ll head towards Charnock Tunnel and see how far we get. Sorry, cancelled if we have a steady rain. Questions: warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com |
Robert Frost came of age in New England as a farmer, naturalist and poet. His descriptions of the rural landscape ring true because he lived here longer than anywhere else. While many people think of New England as little more than snapshots on a calendar, Frost knew how things changed, whether it was time of day, seasons of the year, or ecological succession after farms were abandoned. We will look at some of his poetry
about natural history and change. |
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Owen Sholes taught ecology and environmental science at Assumption College for forty years. His research interests include plant-insect interactions and the response of trees to environmental stress. He and his wife live in Rutland. His book, Stopping by Woods: Robert Frost as New England Naturalist (McFarland Books), will be available soon. 
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WINTER WILDLIFE TRACKING AT HARVARD POND PETERSHAM with Paul Wanta Watch for this field trip during winter 2018-2019! |
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We share our open spaces and backyards with a large number of wild animal species, most of which stay hidden and are less active during the day. By making careful observations of tracks and track patterns as well as other signs that wild animals leave behind, we can learn more about their lives and habits and the ways they relate to the environment. Our guide will be Paul Wanta, a teacher of wilderness skills and a student of tracking for over 30 years. Paul is a former teacher/naturalist at the Farm School in Athol. He has studied with and taught tracking and wilderness classes for Paul Rezendes of Royalston and John Stokes of The Tracking Project in Corrales, New Mexico. Paul loves taking people of all ages into the woods or in their back yards to help them learn to see and identify the tracks and sign of the wild critters
that live in their neighborhoods or are just passing through.
We’ll explore the various habitats around Harvard Pond (1.6 miles west of Petersham Center, on Route 122), sometimes using the main trail but also going off-trail. Dress for the weather and wear footgear suitable for both on- and off-trail. Participants who pre-register at warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com will receive notification of the new date.
This walk is free and open to all. Donations gratefully accepted!
that live in their neighborhoods or are just passing through.
We’ll explore the various habitats around Harvard Pond (1.6 miles west of Petersham Center, on Route 122), sometimes using the main trail but also going off-trail. Dress for the weather and wear footgear suitable for both on- and off-trail. Participants who pre-register at warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com will receive notification of the new date.
This walk is free and open to all. Donations gratefully accepted!
