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September 2019-2020 

EXPLORING LOCAL TRAILS:
PETERSHAM NATURE HIKE
Sunday December 13, 2020  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
​
, 2020​Continuing our series of leisurely hikes where we stop to take a look at interesting natural features such as birds, trees, fungi, animal tracks and the like,
​we hiked around Harvard Pond in Petersham. Trails were in good condition with remnant snow cover of an inch or two in some places, bare ground in others.  Much of the pond was ice free. Water levels had risen significantly following the precipitation of the past couple of months, a welcome relief from the summer drought.  Wildlife and/or animal sign wasn't obvious; tracking conditions weren't optimal, and of course most animals hear a group approaching and depart. A checklist of birds encountered is here:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S77829475

​ZOOM WEBINAR:
UNRAVELING THE ANNUAL CYCLE OF THE WHIP-POOR-WILL
by
Marja Bakermans, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wednesday  November 18, 2020 7 p.m.

​Eastern Whip-poor-will has been experiencing a 4.4% annual decline in New England and 6.6% in Massachusetts since 1966, yet basic natural history and ecological information is still lacking for this species. In particular, a better understanding of migratory timing, routes, behavior, and wintering locations would allow us to pinpoint the most imminent threats and opportunities across the species’ range and develop a full life cycle approach to the conservation of this declining species. This presentation described migratory and winter ecology research on Whip-poor-will populations breeding in Massachusetts.
                                         Photo by Tom Murray

 
 
 
​Marja received her BS in Biology from Bucknell University and MS and PhD in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University where she focused on the consequences of urbanization and forest management on avian communities. Her favorite part, though, was migrating with Cerulean Warblers down to shade-grown coffee plantations
​ in Venezuela. 
Marja conducts research on declining bird species and teaches and advises senior research projects in the Biology Department
​at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
EXPLORING LITTLE-KNOWN TRAILS:
PHILLIPSTON
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Sunday
November 15, 2020
​10 a.m.

Nine of us joined up for a birding and nature walk on an overcast and cool but comfortable day. The easy walk to Moccasin Pond was about 3 – 3.5 miles round-trip.  We walked in and out of various types of forest, including hemlock/red spruce and oak, and passed by an old apple orchard. We were on the lookout for birds, but it was unusually quiet. Here is the eBird checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S76308056
 
A few participants spotted a White-tailed Deer as it ran across the trail in front of the group. Animal sign encountered included: a downed, rotted log that had been scoured by a Pileated Woodpecker; small scats placed in the middle of the trail that suggested either fox species, coyote scat; and an area showing lots of bare ground where leaves had been scratched aside by a flock of Wild Turkeys.
 

 ZOOM Program
TANZANIA:
​A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY 
with Shawn Carey
Wednesday October 28, 2020
7 p.m.
   ​East Africa evokes images of vast grasslands teeming with exotic animals. Enormous herds of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and gazelles graze under the watchful eyes of Africa’s great predators. It is nature at its most wild. In a region abundant with wildlife, perhaps no country is as celebrated as Tanzania. Home to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania is a nature enthusiast’s paradise.
​   For this special presentation, join wildlife photographer Shawn Carey on an adventure into the heart of Tanzania. We’ll take a safari vehicle into the country’s spectacular national parks and see the “Big Five”—African Elephant, Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion, and Leopard—in all their glory. Along the way, we’ll search for and photograph Cheetahs, Giraffes, Black-backed Jackals, and Hippos.
   And we’ll encounter a panoply of Tanzania’s wonderful and amazing birds, including the Greater Flamingo, Lilac-breasted Roller, Little Bee-eater, Giant Kingfisher, and Grey-crowned Crane—the country’s national bird. 
   If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting East Africa and its incredible wildlife, this is a journey you’ll never forget.
   And it may just have you planning your own African adventure.

This presentation was recorded.
To view, go to Shawn's YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/q9oHtf7IdEo 
 EXPLORING LITTLE-KNOWN TRAILS:
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS OF BARRE
Sunday  October 11, 2020        9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Five of us took a birding and nature walk at a site that deserves more attention--a section of Moose Brook WMA.  We explored various habitats—streamside woods, fields, and a powerline corridor—in search of fall migrant birds, late-blooming wildflowers, and insect and animal sign.  Maples and other hardwoods were showing off their beautiful hues against the bright blue sky. Several species of aster and goldenrod were still in bloom, providing the last dregs of nectar for foraging bumblebees and the occasional wasp. Pickerel frog and garter snake were the herps of the day. A list of the birds that were encountered can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S74716890
 
 
 ZOOM MEETING 
       
EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
AND MUSHROOMS
IN AND AROUND
THE WARE RIVER WATERSHED
with Russ Cohen

WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 
​ 7 p.m.
 
 
This program was supported in part by a grant from the Hubbardston Cultural Council a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Russ presented a colorful and fact-filled program in which he discussed a great number of the tastiest species the region has to offer. Keys to the identification of each species were provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as guidelines for safe, environmentally-
responsible foraging.
We enjoyed a unique and fun exploration of the edibles in our neighborhood.
 
Sign up to receive the ZOOM link for this on-line meeting by sending a message to
 [email protected]
​ with ZOOM NATURE in the subject line.
The Ware River Watershed is home to over 100 species of edible wild plants, including native species like Black Raspberry and Shagbark Hickory, non-native weeds like Burdock and Chicory, and exotic invasive species like Japanese Knotweed. The region is also home to dozens of species of edible mushrooms. Russ Cohen, wild edibles enthusiast and author of the book "Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten” will guide us on an identification and foraging exploration to learn about some of the surprising array of edibles in our own backyard.
​

IN SEARCH OF
WILD EDIBLES  
with Russ Cohen
Saturday
​September 12, 2020 
1 -4 p.m.
 Barre Falls Dam
​Hubbardston
 



​Until retirement in 2015, Russ Cohen was the Rivers Advocate for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, where one of his areas of expertise was in riparian vegetation. In addition to leading over three dozen foraging walks and talks each year, Russ has now taken on a role as a “Johnny Appleseed” of sorts for edible native species. He has a small nursery where he grows plants that he propagates from seed, some of which he collected himself. He partners with land trusts, cities and towns, schools and colleges, state and federal agencies, and others to plant plants from his nursery in appropriate places on their properties.
This program was supported in part by a grant from the Hubbardston Cultural Council a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
ZOOM MEETING
EXPLORING NATURE
WITH iNATURALIST
presented by
Lynn Harper
Wednesday August 12, 2020
​ 7 p.m.
​
​ 
Lynn Harper, Habitat Protection Specialist with the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program at MassWildlife, introduced iNaturalist, an online community of naturalists worldwide. iNaturalist can track your observations of any species, help you identify plants and animals you don't know, and let you see what other naturalists are finding.  It's fun and it's free!
 
     Lynn presented an enlightening and inspiring PowerPoint talk, and the audience got more details during the Q & A session.
     Issue No. 1, 2020 of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine carried an excellent article Lynn wrote on the subject.
     Contact [email protected] if you'd like the scanned article sent to you.
 

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER 
BIRD & NATURE WALK
Saturday June 20, 2020 
8 a.m.-noon   
Patrill Hollow Road, Hardwick
Leader: Wendy Howes

Picture
Ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, 20 June. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Picture
Unexpected Rough-winged Swallow at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick. Photo by Ted Purcell.
Summer’s here, and the time is right. . .for getting out to explore nature. The Town of Hardwick is fortunate to have a number of public areas that provide ample social distancing space for small groups.
​The Town is also home to myriad bird species that are now nesting and fledging young, as well as a variety of wildflowers and plenty of butterflies and dragonflies.  Nature-watching opportunities abound, even on a short walk/drive. 
Three participants explored Patrill Hollow Road, most of which bisects Muddy Brook WMA. Due to the high temperatures--80 degrees plus-- and intense sun,
​ we stayed in the shade!
Bird species checklists on eBird:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S70643171
https://ebird.org/checklist/S70643545
https://ebird.org/checklist/S70643917
 
                                  ZOOM WEBINAR:
        OVERLOOKED PLANTS
                        with Joe Choiniere
        Wednesday May 27, 2020  7 p.m.
 
     “In this unusual period, I have found myself spending much more time in the field, looking at nature, especially plants.  Now with the spring season finally upon us, there are all those great wildflowers to seek out in familiar places.  We all have our little calendars of what blooms when and where, and certainly don’t want to miss the spring beauty, trillium, or trout lily in their yearly and ephemeral blooming periods.  Yet after two or three trips to see the marsh marigolds, perhaps a little boredom sets in for me and I begin to look around and beyond the known, for the lesser known---the overlooked plants.  This leads to many discoveries---“I remember this plant, I haven’t seen it in years,” moments.  And I find when I mention underappreciated plants to participants in my nature classes,they’re often unaware that the plants even exist.
      These overlooked plants are not rare, or even uncommon---they are often abundant species which escape our notice for various reasons.  I find several possible rationales at play: 1) overlooked plants live in the same habitat as another very showy plant species and bloom at the same time; 2) they are small and inconspicuous---unexpected, really; 3) it might be that our search image just doesn’t exist for these species; and 4) quite possibly they may be just too difficult to identify.
     This will be a program outlining a few of these plants and their natural histories.
     Don’t expect to hear about what you already know.  Come ready to learn.”
 
 
Picture
Golden-saxifrage, or water-carpet (Chrysosplenium americanum)
Joe Choiniere is a lifelong naturalist with an special interest in the most common species of biota across many groups including fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, vascular plants, moths, butterflies, birds, herps, and mammals.  He has led and taught nature programs and courses for over 40 years for groups, organizations and individuals in both his personal work and for Mass Audubon.  He has a BS degree in Natural History from the University of Massachusetts.
 ​
 The winner of our May scavenger hunt challenge was Ted Purcell of Rutland with 43 points. Terrific work, Ted!
Picture
Trailing arbutus with mason bee, Paxton.
Picture
Painted Turtles, Whutehall Pond, Rutland.
Picture
American Redstart, Rutland.
Picture
Broom forkmoss, Rutland.
Picture
Serviceberry, Rutland.

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP:
MAY SCAVENGER HUNT CHALLENGE

WHEN: From 7 a.m. Friday May 1 through 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2020
WHO: Individuals, twosomes, or trios maintaining recommended social distance.
HOW: Take your camera or mobile device with camera on outdoor walks anywhere in central MA—your backyard, neighborhood side streets, back roads, and parking lot edges; private or public hiking trails that are open to the public; cemeteries, etc. FIND AND PHOTOGRAPH AS MANY ITEMS ON THE LIST AS YOU CAN IN THE DESIGNATED WEEK. Make sure the time/date settings are recorded. The goal is to get as many points as possible. Maximum for this list: 77 points. Reduce the size of your photos (< 1 MB each) and send to[email protected]
by midnight on Saturday, May 10th.
Top three scorers will be announced Wednesday, May 13th. For prizes, top scorers will be able to choose one book from among a variety of recently-acquired natural history titles.
 
GENERAL RULES:
1) Don’t include people in your photos.                                     4) Practice healthy social distancing habits.                    2) Note the town in which each photo is taken.                     5) Do not disturb wildlife.   
3) Respect private property                                                         6) Tread lightly on the earth. Take only pictures, leave                                                                                                                      only footprints.
                                                                                                 HAVE FUN!
                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                           # OF POINTS
  • Trailing arbutus/Mayflower (Epigaea repens) flower                                                            2  
                   With pollinating insect                                                                                                     8
                   This insect identified                                                                                                      +2

  • Tree trunk showing recent woodpecker (NOT Pileated) excavation/nesthole            5                   
             Hairy Woodpecker                                                                                                                    4

  • Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta )                                                                                              3
 
  • Broom forkmoss (Dicranum scoparium )                                                                                6
                                                                      
  • White-tailed deer droppings                                                                                                    2  
 
  • Sweet white violet (Viola blanda )                                                                                             3  
 
  • Red squirrel                                                                                                                                  3  
                 Cone debris pile (midden) created by red squirrel
                                                        Small (one to few cones)                                                           5  
                                                        Large (accumulated over months)                                        10  

  •  A warbler, any species                                                                                                              7  
 
  • Shadbush/Serviceberry (Amelanchier) in bloom                                                               2
 
  • Early season dragonfly                                                                                                            3     
                 This dragonfly identified                                                                                               +7

  • Bracket fungi (Polypore )                                                                                                          4  
      
  • Spring Azure butterfly                                                                                                             6

​​VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP:
APRIL SCAVENGER HUNT CHALLENGE

The winner of the first April challenge is Joanie MacPhee with 15 points. Great work, Joanie!
Picture
Wood Frog, Athol, 8 April 2020
Picture
Wood Frog egg mass, Athol, 8 April 2020
Picture
Skunk Cabbage showing flower spadix, Royalston, 8 April 2020
Picture
Green Shield lichen, Athol, 8 April 2020
 
 
WHEN: From 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 1 through 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2020
WHO: Individuals, twosomes, or trios maintaining recommended social distance.
HOW: Take your camera or mobile device with camera on outdoor walks anywhere in central MA—your backyard, neighborhood side streets, back roads, and parking lot edges; private or public hiking trails that are open to the public; cemeteries, etc. FIND AND PHOTOGRAPH AS MANY ITEMS ON THE LIST AS YOU CAN IN THE DESIGNATED WEEK. Make sure the time/date settings are recorded. The goal is to get as many points as possible. Maximum for this list: 68 points. Reduce the size of your photos (< 1 MB each) and send to [email protected] by midnight on Saturday, April 11th.
For prizes, top scorers will be able to choose one book from among a variety of recently-acquired natural history titles.
 
GENERAL RULES:
 1) Don’t include people in your photos. 
2) Respect private property.
3) Note the town in which each photo is taken.                                               
4) Practice healthy social distancing habits.
5) Tread lightly on the earth. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.                    
6) Do not disturb wildlife.
7)     HAVE FUN!
 
                                                                                                                                                             # OF POINTS
  • Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) flower spadix                                             2                      
               With pollinating insect                                                                                                           10
  • Tree trunk showing Pileated Woodpecker excavation                                                             1                                       Pileated Woodpecker                                                                                                                6
  • Wood frog                                                                                                                                                   4                   
​                   Wood frog egg mass                                                                                                                  6
  • Coyote scat (Include something in photo to show relative size.)                                        2    
  • Common greenshield lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata)                                                             1    
  • Red squirrel                                                                                                                                       3   
                             Cone debris pile (midden) created by red squirrel
                                                                      Small (one to few cones)                                                   5  
                                                                      Large (accumulated over months)                                 9  
  • Mole hill                                                                                                                                              3    
  • Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata ) bark                                                                                           1    
  • Early season native pollinating insect                                                                                           3          
                                   This insect identified                                                                                          10  
  • Red-tailed Hawk                                                                                                                               4         
  • Spotted wintergreen/ spotted pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata)                                       3  
  • Mourning Cloak butterfly                                                                                                               5
LICHEN INDENTIFICATION WALK
with
Joe Choiniere
Saturday March 7, 2020  
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
​Rutland State Park, Rutland
​
​A dozen participants were provided information on identifying some of the most common species of lichens. We learned about the complex relationship between fungi and lichens. Joe presented some basic information about lichen biology, ecology, growth forms, and substrates, and he pointed out various identification features,  including color and
reproductive structures. About two dozen species of lichens were found on trees and rocks near the Whitehall Road parking area and
​along Prison Camp Road.

SIXTH ANNUAL
DINNER MEETING & SILENT AUCTION
February 23, 2020  
​Hartman's Herb Farm   Barre
 

Picture
Sarah Haggerty
Conservation Biologist/GIS Manager
​       Maine Audubon Society
presenting
 
​INSECTS IN DECLINE IN NEW ENGLAND?  LET’S FIND OUT!
 
Recent studies from around the world have been highlighting an alarming trend—insects have declined dramatically over just a few short decades. And this year there was a new, related headline about dramatic bird declines with some of the highest declines among insectivores. Sarah suggested that the decline of overall insect biomass decline may indeed be linked to bird declines, especially aerial insectivores. This unfortunate trend appears at first glance to be occurring in New England, too, but more science-based information is needed,
 Working with the Maine Entomological Society and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Audubon has begun a project to try to determine the status of Maine’s insect populations. Throughout 2020 they will be partnering with entomologists and ecologists across the state and the region to identify datasets that might offer a clue to insect population trends in Maine. By working with a biostatistician, Sarah and others will evaluate the datasets for usability in analyzing long-term trends and determine if we need additional data. Depending upon the identified needs, future additional data could be gathered by researchers, citizen scientists, students,
or others interested in insects.
 
Sarah attended Bowdoin College for her undergraduate Biology degree, and received her Master of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she studied the effects of land management on rare moth species.  Between her undergraduate degree at Bowdoin and her return to Maine, she worked with various government agencies and non-profits in the realm of wildlife and fisheries conservation.  This included raptor surveys with the U.S. Forest Service in Washington State, fisheries work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and land protection with a local land trust in Massachusetts.  Prior to her return to Maine, Sarah worked for a decade in a variety of capacities with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
​Sam Jaffe
Founder and Director of The Caterpillar Lab

​presenting
 
CATERPILLARS AND MORE: 
UNCOVERING THE WHOLE STORY
 
Sam presented an original photograph and video packed talk that explores backyard pollinators, plants, parasitoids, and the many caterpillars that are positioned at the center of it all.  He introduced a “Whole Story” perspective of natural history study and appreciation that definitely made us reconsider an herbivore's place in our world.  The “Whole Story” was a celebration of caterpillars in all their incarnations and across all their ecological connections. 
Sam also discussed his work growing ​The Caterpillar Lab 
and described the lab’s mission and role here in New England.
 
Sam is a New England based naturalist, photographer, and educator who has been working with native insects since a very early age.  Sam grew up in eastern Massachusetts chasing birds, mucking through ponds, and turning over leaves.  For the last ten years he has been photographing and filming caterpillars and organizing programs to promote these special creatures to the public.  In 2013 he founded The Caterpillar Lab, a non-profit educational outreach organization in Marlborough NH, and he now travels across the country working with museums, nature centers, schools, and individual teachers helping native insects find their place in our everyday lives.  When he is not behind the camera or tending his zoo of caterpillars, Sam can invariably be found up to his waist in vegetation.
https://www.thecaterpillarlab.org/
A heartfelt "thanks" to Carissa, Lynne, and crew at Hartman's Herb Farm!
​
Thank you to all who supported the silent auction!  We are very grateful to the following donors for the many wonderful and unique auction items: Robert Bertin, Anne Greene, Hardwick Farmers Co-op, Wendy Howes, Mass Wildlife's Project WILD, Linda Mueller, Ted Purcell, Alan Rawle,  Claire Sholes, Barry Van Dusen,  & Mark Wilson.
   THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT!
Saturday   February 15, 2020   8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.    Rutland
​Leaders: Ted Purcell & Wendy Howes
​
​     How many species of birds did we find in Rutland in mid-February? The total was 25, about average for this date and location.
​     Six intrepid birders drove to several areas and spread out to see just what could be found. We searched various habitats, counted birds at birdfeeders, and watched the skies to help document the winter populations and diversity of birds in this central MA town.   
     Along the way we kept track of sightings for eBird, the Cornell Lab’s on-line tool for reporting and record-keeping. The checklists are below.
     Highlights were a Northern Flicker, a small group of Cedar Waxwings, and one Bald Eagle. Of interest were species seen before--Barred Owl-- and after--White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Raven--the day of our count, duly noted by the observers on separate eBird lists.
https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64610725                                            https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64613278
https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64611128                                             https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64613685
https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64612189                                            https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64614486
https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64612640                                           https://ebird.org/gbbc/checklist/S64614714

 USING 21st CENTURY TECHNOLOGY TO RECREATE BIODIVERSITY IN 3D
with
DUNCAN IRSCHICK

Wednesday   January 22, 2020   7 p.m.   
Rutland Public Library
280 Main Street  (Route 122A)  Rutland

Capturing the diversity of animal life in high-resolution 3D color has been largely inaccessible until development of the Beastcam™ technology. Beastcam allows biologists to capture the complex body shapes of a wide range of living organisms in high-resolution 3D color. Dr. Irschick will discuss these new methods of recreating living animals using modern camera and video technology and then sharing these models with scientists and the general public in an open-access manner.  This work is part of the broader Digital Life Project (www.digitallife3d.org) which aims to recreate life on earth as shareable 3D assets.

Duncan Irschick is a Professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Director of the Digital Life Project. He is an integrative biologist and innovator interested in the evolution and ecology of animal athletics, and how biological form informs synthetic design. His research on gecko adhesion, animal movement,
and bioinspiration has garnered international acclaim and awards.
​

National Audubon Society's
120th CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Watchers and counters who would like to help with the annual Christmas Bird Counts sponsored by National Audubon Society are welcome!
Consider getting involved. Birders of all experience levels may participate.  While a full day of birding is rewarding, folks may choose to spend only part of the designated day birding. Join an experienced team in the field, go out to an assigned area on your own, or conduct a count of the birds coming to your yard and feeder (if you live within a count circle).  

Count circle territories may be viewed here:
https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=fadfb421e95f4949bde20c29a38228bd

Contact the compiler for more information and/or to sign up.

WORCESTER CBC
Includes parts of Paxton, Holden, Clinton, Shrewsbury, etc.
SATURDAY December 14th  [Foul weather date: SUNDAY December 15th]
Compiler: John Liller (508-877-5770) Email: [email protected]  

 
Picture
Cedar Waxwing by Alan Rawle.
Picture
Sharp-shinned Hawk by Bill Platenik.
ATHOL CBC  Includes sections of Phillipston, Templeton, Royalston, Orange, etc.
SATURDAY  December 14th
The Athol CBC has been conducted since the mid-1960’s, making it the longest continuously running bird data study in the North Quabbin area. Contact Dave Small  [email protected]
 
GROTON-AYER CBC Includes parts of Lunenburg, Townsend, Pepperell, Devens, etc.
SUNDAY December 15th
Contact:  [email protected]

STURBRIDGE CBC  Includes sections of Charlton, Holland, Brimfield, Southbridge, the Brookfields, etc. 
TUESDAY December 17th 
[Foul weather date: WEDNESDAY December 18th]
Compiler: Mark Lynch (508-799-9343) Email: [email protected]
 
QUABBIN CBC   Includes the reservoir, sections of Hardwick, Ware, Petersham, Belchertown, etc.
SATURDAY December 28th
Compiler: Scott Surner
Email: [email protected]

WESTMINSTER CBC  Includes sections of Princeton, Hubbardston, Gardner, Fitchburg, etc.
SATURDAY January 4th  
Compiler:  Charles Caron (978-874-5649) Email: [email protected]
 

 
with Jim Morelly
Thursday  November 14, 2019  7 p.m.
Rutland Public Library
 280 Main Street (Route 122A) Rutland
 
Remote beaver ponds with dams and swamps that require serious hiking efforts set the stage for this year’s presentation by Jim Morelly, our annual “Hunting-with-a-Camera” speaker for the month otherwise associated with traditional hunting. Jim discuused the many species of wildlife supported by these wetland habitats.  He also shared information about what he calls “raising the bar” with regard to camera-trapping techniques and strategies.
We enjoyed hearing Jim present more insights about getting the most out of game cameras, as well as the story behind the amazing photo capture of a bobcat that looks like it posed for one particularly artistic shot.

​FRESHWATER MUSSELS:
​LIVING GEMS IN NORTH AMERICAN WATERS
​by Pete Hazelton

​ 
Thursday October 24, 2019 
7 p.m.
Rutland Public Library
​280 Main Street (Rte. 122)
 Rutland


 
 
​Peter Hazelton is the Chief of Conservation Science, and formerly the Aquatic Ecologist of the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of MassWildlife. He earned his doctorate on the subject of freshwater mussels from the University of Georgia, and has been with MassWildlife for 6 years, where he has developed a conservation program for these invertebrates.  His other research and conservation interests include 
freshwater fishes, crayfish,
​and dragon- and damselflies.

Pete took us through an exploration of the diversity, natural history, and conservation challenges of freshwater mussels.  These interesting and important bivalves are among the most at-risk invertebrates in North America, are critical indicators of water quality, and provide numerous ecological services to
​our lakes and rivers.   
Picture
White-crowned Sparrow by Doug Wipf
Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, cameras, 
snacks/ beverage if you wish.
Contact [email protected] for directions and to let us know you’re coming.
Sorry, cancelled in the event of foul weather.
NATURE WALK
at DWELLY FARM CONSERVATION AREA
TEMPLETON
Saturday October 19, 2019  
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
> CANCELLED - no sign-ups < 
 

Managed by North County Land Trust, this 67-acre property has a short, easy walking trail. There is a diverse mix of pine groves, hemlock forest, early successional birch, and open fields.  We’ll explore and see what we can find.  If time allows, we’ll also visit a section of the nearby Stone Bridge Wildlife Management Area via the old railroad path.
 
​
​FUNGI IDENTIFICATION WALK
with Joe Choiniere
Saturday
September 28, 2019 
1:30 -4:30 p.m.
Harvard Pond
Petersham
Participants enjoyed a casual yet mentally challenging stroll on a portion of the trail around Harvard Pond as we took a few hours to search for various fungi species and find their identities. We’ve had plenty of rainfall this year and encountered a good variety of specimens.
 Leader Joe Choiniere has been studying mushrooms and fungi for many years and enjoys sharing his wisdom about locating and identifying them.

For a closer look at what we found, go to
​FROM THE FIELD. 
 
Photo copyright John Burk.

Autumn in New England
​with John Burk
​Thursday September 19, 2019  7 p.m.
Rutland Public Library 
280 Main Street (Route 122A), Rutland

 Writer and photographer John Burk took us on a visual and fact-filled tour of a New England autumn.
A wide array of stunning photographs covered many topics,
including the effects weather and forest pests have had on foliage in recent years,
as well as seasonal wildlife such as moose courtship and monarch butterfly migration. 
We were treated to images of scenic landscapes, covered bridges, trees with varying amounts of color changes, and other photos that John has used to illustrate northeast trail guides.

John Burk is a writer, photographer, and historian from central Massachusetts whose credits include regional and nature books, guides, and articles, including the recently released AMC's Best Day Hikes in Central Massachusetts. His previous work experience includes 10 years as historical researcher and archivist at Harvard Forest in Petersham,
​an ecological research station of Harvard University.

​ 
​BIRDING MUDDY BROOK
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
HARDWICK (Patrill Hollow Road)
Saturday September 14, 2019 8:30 a.m.-noon

Shrubs and fields regenerating under oak and pitch pine, adjacent to meandering Muddy Brook and associated wetlands, is excellent habitat for both migrant and resident bird species.  Recently laid-out and mowed trails weave in and out of the thick vegetation.  This can be a very “birdy” site, and we encountered some interesting fall migrants, including raptors. Participants had plenty of time to cover much of the WMA before the predicted rain began pouring down. Highlights included Olive-sided Flycatcher and Bald Eagle. For a complete list of sightings, see eBird: ​https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59808643